IFAD/PROCASUR Learning Route on Innovative Livestock

Marketing to Kenya

A Photo Story

Elaine Reinke, IFAD/NEN

27 February to 9 March 2012

Here were are – 22 “ruteros” from Sudan, Somaliland, Ethiopia, Madagascar, USA, Italy and Germany, supported by a wonderful team of PROCASUR staff and livestock experts. We barely landed in Nairobi and were already on the road…

Getting ready for our first encounter with the real experts…

…but it didn’t take us long to escape from the classroom and

get into the field.

After a warm welcome by the Maasai Market Access Committees Siana and Kilitome in Amboseli…

…these livestock trading community groups living in preserved

wildlife areas told us about their efficient partnership with the

African Wildlife Foundation and the

private sector company Agritrade. The Siana

women group successfully ventured

into a commercial sector traditionally dominated by men.

In the Kimana livestock market the group simulated the trade of a bull … and also shared some knowledge with Kenyan youth.

Over a good cup of Kenyan tea, we learned more about

the challenges these two groups faced and

overcame…

After we saw a role play of a typical committee meeting prepared by the Maasai groups, we handed over certificates to the local champions … and had to say goodbye to the wonderful hosts of our first learning case.

Generating knowledge, ideas, experiences … last but not least, connecting people.

As one can see, the Maasai didn’t release us yet. Our

next case brought us to the Kiserian terminal market …

…where we experienced a well-integrated value chain of Maasai pastoralists and livestock traders over the Keekonyokie slaughterhouse to meat processors and traders.

The biogas plant of the Keekonyokie slaughterhouse

turned out the most captivating innovation

for the “ruteros”.

All actors in the Kiserian market have one thing

in common:

They use the mobile phone based money transfer system M-PESA… (and now our route coordinator is one of them!)

Halftime (not half of the time) –some relaxation and fun…

….while preparing for…

…the long awaited camel case.

Our hosts, the women of the Anolei Camel Milk Cooperative in

Isiolo, welcomed us with a full meal of camel delights (tea and

meat) at their local milk bar.

Some of us must have felt like a duck in the water when we visited

Anolei camel producers…

…and some 400 surprisingly friendly camels.

Supplementary feeding of “ruteros”…

… when we witnessed the milking process and

learned the tips and tricks of camel

husbandry.

The case revealed a captivating symbiosis of humans and animals…

…and some true love stories.

From camels to goats – our last learning case brought

us to the Meru Goat Breeders Association…

…facilitating the production of high quality dairy goats for the benefit of its more

than 4,200 farmer members.

Visiting producers, we learned a lot about goat feeding and milking, zero grazing, health

care, breeding schemes…

…and how the cooperative is successfully processing and

marketing goat milk and yoghurt.

After having travelled Amboseli, Kiserian, Isiolo and Meru, and visited five successful initiatives of innovative livestock

marketing presented by local champions…

…we returned to Nairobi and on to Sudan, Somaliland, Ethiopia, Madagascar, USA, Italy and Germany…

…with a good number of elaborate innovation plans and a wealth of new ideas, knowledge and experiences. That’s how

innovations travel.