Market Chain Analysis of Small Ruminant Value in Tahtay Adyabo District, Tigray Region, Ethiopia

The objective of this study was to examine market performance of small ruminant value chainin Tahtay Adyabo District. Multi-stage random sampling technique was used to select representative small ruminant producer kebeles and sample households. Accordingly, 138 sample households, 6 large traders, 12 small traders, 8 collectors 5 butchers, 7 hotels/restaurants and 11 consumers were interviewed through a semi-structured questionnaire and from key informant interview. The data were collected from both primary and secondary sources. Primary data were collected from randomly selected sample households through semi-structured questionnaire and checklists were used for key informants’ interviews. Secondary data were also collected from office of agriculture and rural development of the district. The performance of small ruminant market was analyzed using marketing margins. Small ruminant farmers’s share of the consumer’s price was highest along producers – consumers, producers – farmers (for breeding purpose) and producers – small traders – consumers in both goat and sheep market channels. Similarly, Producer’s share of the consumer’s price was lowest along producers – hotels/restaurants – consumers and producers – collectors – large traders –hotels/restaurants – consumers in both goat and sheep market channel. As the market channel becomes longer and involves more transactions between different actors, the producers’ share of the final price decreases. Therefore, effort should be made to establish producers’ cooperative, help farmers on giving training in appropriate technologies, marketing systems, working capital and information.