A Cross-Sectional Descriptive Study on the Challenges and Prospects in Livestock Production and Marketing in the Pastoral Areas: The Case of South Omo Zone, Ethiopia

The pastoral regions of Ethiopia rely heavily on livestock production and marketing. This sector offers significant opportunities but also faces several challenges. Addressing these challenges while capitalizing on the opportunities in livestock marketing is crucial for sustainable economic growth. This study aimed to explore the challenges and opportunities in the livestock marketing system of the South Omo Zone in Ethiopia. A cross-sectional design was employed, integrating both qualitative and quantitative methods. The quantitative component involved a survey of 383 households (230 male and 153 female) across four districts, while the qualitative aspect included eight focus group discussions, 24 key informant interviews, market observations, and document reviews. Quantitative data were analyzed through descriptive statistics, such as frequencies, percentiles, means, ranges, and standard deviations, while qualitative data were examined for themes and patterns through a process of scanning and marking. The study identified several challenges in livestock production and marketing, including a high illiteracy rate, livestock diseases, scarcity of feed and water, drought, price instability, broker influence, poor coordination among stakeholders, inadequate infrastructure, insufficient veterinary service, limited access to market information, and sociocultural barriers. Conversely, the study also highlighted significant opportunities, such as high demand for pastoral livestock, a large livestock population, supportive institutions, growth in primary livestock markets, favorable government policies, and the presence of abundant land near a large river. In conclusion, the study outlined key challenges and opportunities in livestock production and marketing in the South Omo pastoral areas. Addressing these challenges and leveraging the opportunities is essential for fostering sustainable economic development in the region.