Sheep and Goat Marketing and Consumption in Relation To Religious Festivities in Shifting and Permanent Farming Systems in Western Ethiopia

Abstract

This study explored sheep and goat marketing and consumption in shifting farming system (SFS) and permanent farming system (PFS) in relation to festivities in Western Ethiopia. A cross-sectional random survey involving 180 households (HHs), marketing survey that provided 676 observations and focus group discussions were used to collect marketing and consumption data from the two farming systems (FSs) representing SFS and PFS. The largest supply and sales was recorded during Christmas followed by Eid Al-Adha, Eid Al-Fetir in both FSs. Prices and utilization per HH increased by up to 11.2% and 73.0% in SFS and 19.2% and 82.2% in PFS during festivals, respectively. Skin color, buyer and seller types affected prices. Sheep was preferred for HH use in both communities. For producers to better benefit from higher prices during festivals, they have to plan their production and supply to match with the fluctuating but predictable patterns of demand.