Assessment of Performance and Competitiveness of Somaliland Livestock Sector Using Value Chain Analysis

An assessment of the performance and competitiveness of Somaliland livestock sector was done using livestock value chain analysis. Results of the analysis revealed that livestock production involving cattle, sheep, goats and camels is the region's primary economic activity. Livestock markets and infrastructure exist for both domestic and export trade. Market channels are served by a number of interconnecting primary and secondary markets linked to several production areas. Local markets involve livestock slaughter and marketing of meat to local consumers. Livestock slaughter and marketing of meat suffer constraints that include poor design and hygiene of slaughter facillities and lack of meat inspection services. Export markets involve trade in live animals and raw hides and skins. Trading activities are facilitated by availability of important animal handling facilities in livestock markets. The main players in the sector include pastoralist producers, animal trekkers, livestock traders/exporters, brokers, livestock transporters, slaughterhouses operators, butchers, meat traders, meat transporters and hides skins traders. The Ministry of Livestock Development, Local Authorities, and Somaliland Chamber of Commerce and Industry play a supportive role to the sector. Livestock productivity is affected by occurrence of livestock diseases, scarcity of water and pastures due to recurrent droughts and rangeland degradation, inadequate animal health and veterinary extension services and loss of value along the livestock marketing chain. Productivity can be enhanced by improving fodder production and conservation, water harvesting and provision of animal health extension services. To enhance competitiveness of livestock export, there is need to develop livestock disease testing facilities in livestock markets, as well as strengthen financal services to support livestock exporters. On the other hand, competitiveness of meat marketing can be enhanced by rehabilitation/improvement of slaughter and meat production and marketing facilities and services.