Willingness to Pay for Improved Milk Sensory Characteristics and Assurances in Northern Kenya Using Experimental Auctions

Pastoralists in northern Kenya may be able to diversify income by selling milk in nearby towns and cities. However, milk sold in open-air markets in communities in northern Kenya is often of low quality in terms of its sensory characteristics. The milk is also often adulterated before sale. These markets are characterized by poor consumers who need to make choices about milk quality with virtually no information other than their own sensory perceptions. These conditions are similar in many parts of the world for many different commodities and products. An examination was undertaken using experimental auctions to determine if consumers in the border town of Moyale, Kenya are willing to pay for enhanced milk sensory characteristics and assurances. The results suggest that even poor consumers are willing to pay for enhanced sensory characteristics and assurances if these can be communicated in a trusted manner. Older, relatively well-informed women are the group most willing to pay the highest prices for milk quality.willingness-to-pay, milk, Kenya, Agribusiness, Agricultural Finance, Q10, Q14,

Camel Milk Technology Development in Kenya: Achievements, Lessons Learnt and Way Forward

For over 10 years, the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI), Marsabit Centre, together with stakeholders and community groups has been conducting research for development on camel milk technology to develop food security and value added products. This paper summarises the achievements, lessons learnt and way forward in this road of camel milk technology development. Results show that camel milk technology development has undergone various phases, i.e. research on camel milk production, composition, value addition, marketing, and technology transfer, and considerable progress has been made. Various technologies and information packages have been developed. Farmers/ beneficiaries have adapted some of the technologies to suit their local conditions. However, sustaining some of the gains made has been a major challenge. Further research should focus on the development of milk products with longer shelf life, such as camel milk powder, and establishing the best technology transfer model appropriate for pastoralists. There is also need to move from the small scale businesses to large scale enterprises which can transform lives, so as to contribute towards the country’s blue-print of becoming an industrialised country by the year 2030

What are Consumers in Moyale, Kenya Willing to Pay for Improved Milk Quality?

Pastoralists in northern Kenya and southern Ethiopia may be able to diversify income by selling milk to urban residents. However, milk sold in open-air markets is often low in quality because it has been transported long distances without refrigeration and is subject to spoilage, or because milk is adulterated prior to sale to boost volume or enhance appearance. Open-air markets are characterized by low-income consumers who must make choices about milk quality with virtually no information other than their own sensory perceptions. PARIMA researchers used an experimental-auction approach to determine what residents in Moyale, Kenya, are willing to pay (WTP) for improved milk quality. Researchers created milk samples that varied in taste and texture and asked participants to bid for them in order to reveal the value of their preferences. Results indicate that consumers are indeed willing to pay for improved milk quality. For example, compared to younger women, older women would pay a 20% premium for higher-quality milk. Furthermore, poorer consumers would pay a 19% premium simply for assurances on milk safety. These findings indicate that there are economic incentives to enhance milk quality and justify attention to basic technical and/or organizational interventions that could improve the quality of milk marketed to the residents of this border town

Willingness to Pay for Improved Milk Sensory Characteristics and Assurances in Northern Kenya Using Experimental Auctions

Pastoralists in northern Kenya may be able to diversify income by selling milk in nearby towns and cities. However, milk sold in open-air markets in communities in northern Kenya is often of low quality in terms of its sensory characteristics. The milk is also often adulterated before sale. These markets are characterized by poor consumers who need to make choices about milk quality with virtually no information other than their own sensory perceptions. These conditions are similar in many parts of the world for many different commodities and products. An examination was undertaken using experimental auctions to determine if consumers in the border town of Moyale, Kenya are willing to pay for enhanced milk sensory characteristics and assurances. The results suggest that even poor consumers are willing to pay for enhanced sensory characteristics and assurances if these can be communicated in a trusted manner. Older, relatively well-informed women are the group most willing to pay the highest prices for milk quality

Willingness to Pay for Improved Milk Sensory Characteristics and Assurances in Northern Kenya Using Experimental Auctions

Pastoralists in northern Kenya may be able to diversify income by selling milk in nearby towns and cities. However, milk sold in open-air markets in communities in northern Kenya is often of low quality in terms of its sensory characteristics. The milk is also often adulterated before sale. These markets are characterized by poor consumers who need to make choices about milk quality with virtually no information other than their own sensory perceptions. These conditions are similar in many parts of the world for many different commodities and products. An examination was undertaken using experimental auctions to determine if consumers in the border town of Moyale, Kenya are willing to pay for enhanced milk sensory characteristics and assurances. The results suggest that even poor consumers are willing to pay for enhanced sensory characteristics and assurances if these can be communicated in a trusted manner. Older, relatively well-informed women are the group most willing to pay the highest prices for milk quality