High quality, high reliability: The dynamics of camel milk marketing in northern Kenya

Abstract

In order to analyse the transformations faced by pastoralists in coping with the uncertainties of their livelihoods, this paper analyses the evolutions of the marketing of camel milk, which has turned from a local taboo into a critical asset for the pastoral communities of Isiolo, a county typically associated with the rearing of cattle. Camel milk marketing (CMM) challenges several assumptions about pastoral societies and their supposed embedding conservativeness, inefficiency and risk aversion.A high-reliability perspective has been instrumental in revealing the ongoing dynamics that are reconfiguring pastoral resource management and livelihood patterns in Isiolo. Through this approach, the management practices and contractual relationships that underpin CMM production and marketing have been explored, with a view to unveiling the rationale inspiring the networks through which camel milk is transacted, and the related socially-regulated arrangements and practices. The social and political embeddedness of CMM networks is central to their ability to adapt and function in constantly changing local conditions.The marketing of camel milk provides an intriguing insight into how pastoral systems are informed by a high-reliability approach to operating under conditions of volatility and uncertainty. Political economy matters will have a significant influence on the evolution of this important enterprise. Adequate investments in infrastructure and public facilities would be crucial to further develop CMM and to enable its operators to respond and adapt to local dynamics, with a view to fairly share the associated risks, costs and benefits.

Rethinking policies for pastoralists – governing the rangelands

“…The penetration of the market economy and the incorporation of rangelands into the wider political and commercial arena also impinge on the livelihoods of herding communities, as new economic and political agendas reconfigure pastoral territories, economies and societies. Trade in animal products has grown dramatically across and beyond the regions, and milk markets are now widespread in most countries, often managed by skilful pastoralist women's networks Nori 2023). The processes of rangeland encroachment, livestock commoditisation and youth emigration further contribute to patterns of social differentiation, stratification and exclusion, with poorer groups losing out from these processes and becoming more insecure and vulnerable (Catley and Aklilu 2013;Krätli et al 2013).…”

Pastoralism, Uncertainty and Development

“…If we are to respond to climate change, market volatility, changing environments, migratory flows, more frequent pandemics, and rising conflict, we can and must learn from those who have developed the capacities to live with and from uncertainty (Scoones, 2019(Scoones, , 2022c. Thinking about how pastoralists respond to uncertainty can be important, whether thinking about pastoral mobility when constructing human migration policies (Maru et al, 2022); designing social assistance and humanitarian relief approaches that avoid centralized risk-based approaches (Caravani et al, 2022); fostering market integration dynamics that build around local practices and networks (Nori, 2023); supporting knowledge networking and exchange as part of extension efforts to increase reliability (Tasker and Scoones, 2022); redesigning insurance schemes to support a more varied response (Johnson et al, 2023); thinking about preparedness for pandemics (Leach et al, 2022) or disasters more generally (Srivastava and Scoones, forthcoming); or even rethinking banking, finance, and economic policymaking itself (DeMartino et al, forthcoming;Scoones, 2020).…”