Livestock for Development. A study of livestock marketing in the Lakezone of Tanzania and its potential for local economic development.

Abstract

While potentials for livestock sector development are high in Tanzania, the sector only accounts to 13 percent of GDP at the moment. Marketing constraints are identified to pose major barriers to economic exploitation of the sector. The aim of this study is to get a greater insight in the system of livestock marketing in the geographical context of the Lakezone. Moreover, the study aims to identify possible interventions needed to enlarge economic benefits derived from the livestock sector in the research area. The outcome of the study is that livestock marketing is complex; many actors and channels are involved and multiple marketing constraints are identified at producer, primary market and secondary market level. Livestock production can be characterized in a supply chain; the supply chain characterization emphasizes the weak position of producers within the chain. Opportunities to improve the position of producers and increase economic benefits from the livestock sector are existing; commercialization of the sector, a change of traditional behaviour and an increased level of education compose major potentials. Different tools can be applied to realize these potentials, such as establishing producer organizations and the strengthening of government and financial institutions.