Socio-economic determinants of pastoralists’ choice of camel production in Karamoja sub-region, Uganda

Abstract

Camel production is a potential avenue for improved food and income security in dryland areas of East Africa. Despite this potential, there is a dearth of information on the increasing choice of camel production among pastoralists in the region. Camel-owning households were obtained through snowball sampling approach whereas those without camels were obtained randomly in the vicinity of those who had camels. A total of 116 respondents were interviewed in Moroto and Amudat districts of the Karamoja sub-region, Uganda. Descriptive statistics and binary probit regression analysis were conducted on the data. Results showed that 45% of the sampled households owned camels with an average camel holding of 17.96 ± 22.12 heads. There were more cows (9.67 ± 12.368) than bulls (3.85 ± 7.149) in the camel herds. Only 8% and 26% of camel herders had access to extension services and financial credit respectively. The binary probit regression model revealed that age of the household head, household size, on-farm income and herd size significantly influenced the decision to undertake camel production in the region. Furthermore, all the household members were engaged in different camel management activities; however, herding was mainly the responsibility of the children (34.9%) and adult males (32.1%). Milking was mainly done by women (33.6%) while disease management was done by adult males (48.7%) and the elderly (22%) in the household. Provision of higher milk quantities (44.3%) and camels being in the lineage (13.6%) were cited as the key motivations for camel rearing. On the other hand, 56% of respondents observed that the initial high cost of camel acquisition was the main limitation to owning camels. This study has shown that decision-making in transitioning to camel production in Karamoja is a result of socio-economic attributes including pastoralists' perceptions of associated costs and benefits arising from camel production. Therefore, it is vital to strengthen innovative financing mechanisms and traditional systems such as agistments that can support pastoralists willing to acquire camels. There is need for extension services that target camel rearing where women and children are involved given their central role in camel management.

Characteristics and Determinants of Dromedary Camel (Camelus dromedarius) Production in Borana Plateau, Ethiopia

“…During a focused group discussion among the participants, it was noted that daily reporting of children is vital to the owner in terms of the health characteristics of the particular animal by observing feeding and water activities. According to Salamula et al (2017), practically all members of the household were involved in various camel management tasks, and defined roles and responsibilities were assigned. This finding is supported by Tadesse et al (2015), who found that all camel management tasks are divided among family members, except breeding and marketing decisions, which are mostly the responsibility of men.…”

Applying livestock thresholds to examine poverty in Karamoja

“…As a large and valuable livestock species, camels are more likely to be owned by wealthier households. For example, a recent study in Rupa sub-county in Moroto District and Loroo and Amudat sub-counties in Amudat District reported that camels owned by 45% of households, and these households had above-average income (Salamula et al 2017). Camels represented 44.7% of herd composition in terms of TLU.…”

Determinants of Pastoralists Choice of Camel Production and Production Systems in Eastern Ethiopia

“…Watson and Van Binsbergen (2008), Watson, Kochore and Dabassso (2016), Martínez García et al, (2015), results also revealed that large livestock holding is a sign of wealth among pastoralists and wealth often positively associated with new technology adoption which leads to livestock improvement. Camels are desert animals known for its resistant to harsh environment and produce milk during dry seasons and drought years when milk from other livestock species are scarce (Farah et al, 2004 andSalamula et al, 2017).…”

“…Pastoralism is a culture, mode of production, in Africa especially in the horn whereby pastoralists depend on their livestock (Camel, Sheep and Goats, Cattle), they migrate seasonally due to rainfall and pasture availability. Many scholars defined pastoralism as proud livestock based production system, which is mainly extensive in nature (Hatfield and Davies, 2006;Mukherji et al, 2017).…”