The Emerging Trade in Donkey Hide: An Opportunity or a Threat for Communities in Kenya?

Abstract

Donkey hides are used in a form of Traditional Chinese medicine called ejiao, the demand for ejiao is currently so high the global donkey population is currently in decline. Africa's donkey population is considered a key source for the trade, with Kenya being highlighted as being particularly affected. In Kenya donkeys play a vital contribution to people's livelihoods; this study aimed to explore the potential impact of the donkey hide trade on small holder farmer's livelihoods. The study was conducted in five counties in Kenya; data was collected using household survey questionnaires, focus group discussions and key informant interviews. When household survey participants (n = 421) were asked if the number of donkeys in their herd had decreased within the last two years 34.2% (n = 144) reported a decrease, of those 43.8% (n = 63) reported the selling of donkeys as the primary cause of reduction in herd size. Increased money spent on the transportation of farm produce, water and firewood was the most frequently reported effect of the loss of donkeys (62.5%, n = 263). Some focus group discussion participants said that they had previously sold their donkeys to raise money for school fees, likewise 43% (n = 97) of focus group discussion participants said that they would sell their donkeys to pay medical bills. Results from the study suggest that small holder farmers are choosing to sell their donkeys for an instant boost in income, but long-term this is unlikely to be a sustainable livelihood option.

The Donkey Skin Trade: Challenges and Opportunities for Policy Change

“…As discussed later, more research is needed to quantify the current and potential impacts on communities’ livelihoods and well‐being; however some research has begun to explore this. One study conducted in Kenya found that participants reported that the sale of their donkeys provided them with an initial cash boost, which they could use to pay medical bills and education fees (Carder et al 2019). However, there was a reported long term negative effect on food security, therefore it is likely that the breeding and selling of donkeys by small holder farmers is not a sustainable livelihood option (Carder et al 2019).…”

“…One study conducted in Kenya found that participants reported that the sale of their donkeys provided them with an initial cash boost, which they could use to pay medical bills and education fees (Carder et al 2019). However, there was a reported long term negative effect on food security, therefore it is likely that the breeding and selling of donkeys by small holder farmers is not a sustainable livelihood option (Carder et al 2019). This is because supply cannot meet demand, and there is an increased purchase price of donkeys.…”

“…This is because supply cannot meet demand, and there is an increased purchase price of donkeys. Therefore, those selling their donkeys or those who have had them stolen may not be able to replace them in the future; which will likely have a negative impact on traditional livelihood strategies that donkeys are vital to (Carder et al 2019). It has been suggested that the four slaughterhouses that were established in Kenya have created job opportunities in the local areas.…”

Scavenging for Ejiao's raw material and the extinction of donkeys in Nigeria

“…A cross-sectional study was conducted in five counties in Kenya by Carder et al (2019) on the emerging trade in donkey hide. The study assessed both opportunity and threat for communities.…”

donkey skin trade: a growing global problem

“…In a study published in 2019 by the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), the annual number of donkeys slaughtered in Kenya was five times higher than the annual donkey population growth rate which, if neither rate changed, would lead to the complete extinction of the Kenyan donkey population by 2023 (Kenya Agriculture and Livestock Research Organization, 2019). The trade also threatens the livelihoods of vulnerable communities, particularly women, who will often be left carrying the load that a donkey would have (Carder et al, 2019;Brooke, 2014). Smallholder farmers lose an average of USD 109.73 per month for every donkey they lose through sale or theft (Brooke, 2019) with many families unable to send children to school or pay medical bills due to loss of income.…”