Value chain analysis and sanitary risks of the camel milk system supplying Nairobi city, Kenya

Publication date: Available online 13 September 2018Source: Preventive Veterinary MedicineAuthor(s): Dishon Muloi, Pablo Alarcon, Jackson Ombui, Kisa J. Ngeiywa, Bulle Abdullahi, Patrick Muinde, Maurice K. Karani, Jonathan Rushton, Eric M. FèvreAbstractThe camel milk trade in Kenya has evolved significantly from a small-scale business undertaken in local villages to its current status involving a large number of different stakeholders supplying urban towns, particularly Nairobi City. Despite the evident growth pattern, the supply of camel milk to Nairobi has largely remained informal, with minimal enforcement of regulations. The aim of this study was to characterise the camel milk system supplying Nairobi and assess its governance, main challenges and the potential food safety risk practices.A value chain analysis framework was used to carry out data collection between August 2014 and July 2015. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected through focus group discussions and key informant interviews with stakeholders operating in different nodes of the value chains.Three milk value chains supplying Nairobi were identified and mapped: the Isiolo chain, the Kajiado chain and the camel milk processing company chain. Overall, the results indicate that 94 % of the milk supplied to Nairobi city is informally traded (traded without any effective regulation), while 6% originates from a formal milk processing company. In the informal chains, milk traders (mostly women) were repor...
Source: Preventive Veterinary Medicine - Category: Veterinary Research Source Type: research