Dynamics of camel milk marketing in Kenya

In order to see how pastoralists deal with the uncertainties of their livelihoods, the paper “High quality, high reliability: the dynamics of camel milk marketing in northern Kenya” (2023) by Michele Nori (published in Pastoralism: Research, Policy & Practice 13:9, doi.org/10.1186/s13570-022-00265-1) examines the evolution in camel milk marketing. Camel milk has become a key source of income for both women and men in pastoralist communities of Isiolo, a county in Kenya usually associated with cattle keeping.

The paper describes how pastoral resource management and livelihood patterns are being reconfigured in Isiolo. It explores the management practices and contractual relationships that underpin camel milk production and marketing and reveals the rationale inspiring the networks through which the milk is marketed. The social and political embeddedness of these networks is central to their ability to adapt and function under constantly changing local conditions.

Economic policies will significantly influence the evolution of this new enterprise. Adequate investment in infrastructure and public facilities will be crucial to further develop camel milk marketing so that its operators can respond to local dynamics and share the associated risks, costs and benefits.

Posted on 16 May 2023 in Pastoral Research & Innovation, Pastoralism & Marketing