Characterizing Beef Cattle Value Chains in Agro-Pastoral Communities of Uganda's Lake Victoria Basin

A study was conducted to characterize the existing beef value chains in the agro-pastoral communities around Lake Victoria Basin of Uganda and examine their potential for improvement. 100 beef cattle producers and 32 traders were interviewed in Rakai, Isingiro and Lyantonde Districts to understand their marketing channels and attributes. Majority of producers were small scale owning 1 - 50 cattle in Rakai (69.5%) and Lyantonde (54.6%) while Isingiro was dominated by large scale farmers owning more than 100 cattle (39.3%). 75% of producers sold cattle at farm gate, 13% in formal and 6% in informal livestock markets, while 6% to abattoirs. Cattle size and weight were reported by 67% and 24.8% respectively by respondents as major factors used in setting cattle prices followed by breed (7.1%) and production costs (1.1%). Four existing beef cattle value chains were identified ending with export of live cattle, consumption in cities and towns, consumption in production areas, and niche African markets. One potential value chain identified is the niche non African markets. Long beef cattle value chains exist in agro-pastoral communities which reduce the profit margins for producers. Identified strategies to improve the existing value chains include establishment of feedlots, buying of animals from smallholders for fattening in feedlots by commercial ranchers, and exploiting niche non African markets. Since animal size and weight are major factors determining cattle prices, cattle fattening using low cost crop residues could provide producers with more income.