Livestock Price Formation in Suri Pastoral Communities in Bench Maji Zone, Southwest Ethiopia: Hedonic Property Value Approach

摘要

Livestock are non-marketed assets which are used to enhance social status in Suri pastoral communities. The lack of access to formal or informal market for livestock, livestock products and by-products in the area forced the Suris to barter livestock with other physical properties in times of family emergencies and food shortage. This study, therefore, aimed at assessing how livestock price was formed in a bartering economy in Surma pastoralist district. Primary data were collected through key informant interview and structured questionnaire. A total of 100 pastoralists were selected by using simple random sampling technique. Data were analyzed using hedonic property value (HPV) approach and multiple linear regression analysis. The result revealed that livestock rearing provide multiple benefits to Suris in terms of enhancing wealth and social status, dispute settlement, source of diet and bride payment. The absence of market place and periodic market date in the area made Suris to barter cattle forbarn of maize, Kalashnikovs, goats and gold mine. However, physical characteristics like age and body condition of ox/bull; and external factors like season and market location affected cattle price. Therefore, attention has to be given to the factors affecting cattle price to improve the benefits of the pastoralists.