In Kenya, the value of the pastoral livestock sector is estimated to be worth 800 million U.S. dollars

Livestock insurance scheme developed by pastoralists in partnership with the Nairobi-based International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) is helping Kenyan herders to protect their marketable assets.

The new book on markets development for African small holder farmers published in Nairobi on Wednesday has highlighted a pioneering livestock insurance project as a key innovation that could enable African farmers reduce their losses in crop and livestock production.

“It will not be enough to simply produce more food from the fields and grazing lands of Africa,” warns the new book, which is published by ILRI and the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA).

A statement from ILRI said more effort is needed to create better markets and improve access to these markets’ especially in remote regions.

Read more ….. Africa news: Kenya Focus.  Special report by XINHUA correspondent: Christine Lagat – May 4 -10, 2012