Pastoralists Cooperative Using Internet To Penetrate Markets
A co-operative society for pastoralists in Laikipia North is capitalizing on internet connectivity to sell livestock in and outside the County.
Members of Laikipia Livestock Marketing Cooperative Society are reaping good returns from marketing their livestock by use of multiple channels including Facebook and other platforms.
Between July 2020 and March 2021, has reaped more than Kshs. 7.8 million after selling a total of 613 sheep to markets outside Laikipia.
The co-operative has been receiving orders to supply various organizations and individuals with sheep and goats.
The most recent arrangement was to supply to Community Driven Development Committee (CDDC) in West Pokot County with 300 Doper sheep as breeding stock valued at Ksh. 3,990,000.
Recently, the society has also supplied 600 goats to Samburu County, 250 Galla goats to the Catholic Diocese of Meru, 18 Dopers to farmers in Kirinyaga County and 45 Dopers to Kenol Butchers Association.
The West Pokot was done in two batched, first batch of 130 heads was delivered to the CDDC on March 16, 2021 with the second batch delivered on March 23, 2021.
When given such an order we go to different members and each gives the number that they will be able to supply.
The manager Mr. Francis Ngaiduri says.
The cooperative is a peoples grass-root organization operating in the vast Laikipia North Sub County which started as a common interest group six years and later to a marketing cooperative.
Currently, it has 105 members, 52 women, and 53 men. Membership is based on one being a livestock farmer.
One of its objectives is increasing market access by the small livestock farmers through aggregation and market linkages. Members rear the livestock individually with the cooperative assisting them in improving the breed.
The cooperative supplied 30 rams to members in order to reproduce them and have a pure quality breed for sale.
The cooperative intends to become a leader in the value addition and improvement of livestock in the County. They have also ventured into leather production with women making leather belts for sale.
According to Mr. Ngainduri that pastoralists are able to earn twice the usual normal price as the improved Doper sheep attract high prices.
The cooperative has a livestock load yard at Kimanjo town to coordinate the supply.
| Destination | Qty | Description | Value (Kshs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meru County (Catholic Diocese) | 250 | Galla Goats | 3,250,000 |
| Kirinyaga County | 18 | Dorper sheep | 216,000 |
| Kenol Butchers Association | 45 | Dorper Sheep | 390,000 |
| West Pokot County 300 goats | 300 | Dorper sheep | 3,990,000 |
| Total | 613 | 7,846,000 |
(Source: CGL E-Newsletter Issue 0043)
