Borana women’s processing of koche, a traditional meat product

Indigenous meat processing, in particular making koche, plays an important role in the economic and social life of Borana pastoralist women. It contributes to animal-source protein as well as income generation. However, traditional processors face numerous challenges. The study “Status and process analysis of koche, a traditional pastoral meat product in Kenya” (2019) by Grace Werikhe et al, published in Pastoralism: Research, Policy and Practice 9:6, assessed the status and process of making koche, costs and returns, and constraints faced by koche processors.

The study was carried out in Isiolo and Marsabit towns, based on a survey, key informant interviews and focus group discussions. Results revealed that all processors are women who largely rely on traditional techniques. Their major constraints were lack of equipment to ease processing (100%), lack of access to credit (100%), insufficient capital (90%) and high costs of inputs (90%). Based on the findings on the gross margin and analysis of returns, koche processing was found to be a profitable business and thus a good investment opportunity. However, the challenges need to be overcome to enable expansion of commercial koche processing, reduction in post-production losses and removal of market barriers to koche so as to increase the incomes of pastoralist women.

Posted on 13 June 2019 in Pastoralism & Marketing, Pastoralism, Gender & Youth, Pastoralist Livelihoods & Nutrition