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- 2020| Kamla-Raj Enterprise...This paper analyses cattle marketing in Mukumbura communal area, Mt Darwin District, Zimbabwe. A sample of 60 communal cattle farmers was purposively selected. Cattle sold varied across marketing channels (auctions, abattoirs, butcheries and private sales), with private sales dominating. A low average market off-take rate (16.12%) was recorded possibly due to the poor conditions of animals at the time of selling. All respondents reported poor cattle prices, lack of market information, and lack of marketable heard as primary constraints, followed by poor cattle conditions (98.3%), poor handling facilities (96.7%) and high transport costs (55%) among others. Cattle herd size (p<0.006) was found to be statistically significant and negatively correlated with the market cattle off-take rate. The researchers recommend that farmers should keep a small manageable herd of cattle, especially during dry spells. Additionally, concerted effort by all stakeholders, market infrastructure (abattoirs and transport) and collective action are critical.
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- The challenges and constraints faced by communal cattle producers are detrimental to the growth of the sector. This study seeks to establish the factors affecting farmers’ participation in livestock marketing. Questionnaires were administered to sixty (60) farmers randomly selected from Mwenezi District soliciting marketing information. Butcheries, abattoirs, speculators, private sales emerged as the main livestock value chain players, while auctioneers play an insignificant role. Farmers participate in both formal and informal livestock markets. Marketing challenges range from lack of market information, long distance to the market, low prices and poor condition of animals. Farmers’ choice on whether to participate in the highly rewarding formal marketing channel was influenced by the animal condition (p=0.004), frequency of extension worker visits (p=0.001), buying price (p=0.037) and the age of the livestock owner. To operate efficiently, the livestock sector requires support systems that are capable of eliminating constraints and creating value for livestock farmers.
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