Determining the Factors Affecting Goat Marketing Systems among Smallholder Farmers in Chirundu District of Zambia

Abstract

In many developing countries, goat production has an important role in rural livelihoods as a source of household income and food security. Smallholder farmers are still experiencing low returns on their goat products owing to inefficient marketing systems, even when demand for these products is increasing in Zambia. Goat marketing system determinants among smallholder farmers in the Chirundu district. In the Southern Province, Zambia, in particular, the study aimed at determining the factors that influence goat marketing among smallholder farmers. Research Design A descriptive study with a mixed-methods cross-sectional research design was used, involving a total of 70 respondents (goat farmers, traders, consumers, and district officials). Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze quantitative data and thematic analysis for qualitative data. The results showed that goat sales were primarily through informal marketing channels, and most farmers relied on visual appraisal by middlemen to determine prices. High transport costs, an information gap in the market, poor infrastructure, and water scarcity, as well as weak institutional support, contributed to limiting participation at markets (Table 1). Regression analysis found that selling price for goats was significantly predicted by breed type and marketing channel. The authors conclude that improving market infrastructure, increasing access to market information, facilitating the adoption of better goat breeds, and supporting farmer organizations would lead to increased market participation and higher household incomes. These findings provide further evidence to policymakers, development partners, and researchers interested in enhancing livestock value chains in Zambia.