Sinokubonga Nkala
Judith Phiri, Business Reporter
FARMERS have been called on to take up Boer goat stud breeding projects for good genetics and specific traits that are well-suited to adapt to climate change.
In Zimbabwe, goat breeding is on the rise and is said to have the potential to significantly contribute towards the overall economic growth in the country with the global demand for goat meat on a continued upward trend.
An increase in demand for goat meat continues to offer small-scale farmers in semi-arid Zimbabwe opportunities for increased market participation.
In an interview, Goat Breeders Association of Zimbabwe vice-chairperson, Mr Xolisani Mpofu who is also the founder of Eland Zakithi Goat Stud, said before starting a goat stud, it was recommended for farmers to learn the basics of small stock farming.
“Farmers should move away from the system of keeping goats for their family consumption but also take it as a business. Goat breeding has a lucrative future and people can venture into the industry as we are witnessing demand for goat meat,” he said.
Mr Mpofu, who is based in South Africa, is involved in a thriving Boer goat breeding project deep in rural Inyathi in Bubi District, Matabeleland North Province with over 600 goats.
He said good goat genetics were critical to ensure their adaptability and fertility, when being raised for meat.
“Goats are known for their adaptability, which helps them survive and thrive in a variety of environments. Farmers can improve their goat herd’s genetics through selection, cross-breeding and management,” he said.
“Selection is critical for profitability, and can help you produce more milk and higher weight gains among other things. Cross-breeding can help with traits like livability, growth rate, and decreased death losses in kids.
To allow goats to express their genetic potential, you can provide good management feeding, a herd health programme, and select goats from groups that are well grown.”
As one of the leading goat breeders in the country, Mr Mpofu imported a couple of Boer bucks from North West Province in South Africa a few years ago for cross-breeding, a strategy that involves systematically mixing breeds to produce offspring with specific traits.
He said it was a recommended practice for commercial meat and dairy goat production, while cross-breeding could improve the economically important traits of meat goats.
On proper management of goats, he said: “As farmers we should always make sure that we manage waste properly and also pick up plastics in our farms and surrounding areas as they affect goats when ingested.
They affect the digestive system and eventually kill them as it is very difficult to treat a goat which might have ate plastic.”
Mr Mpofu said this then also affected farmers’ profitability because goats are a numbers business, the more goats farmers take to the market the better returns they get.
Meanwhile, the Goat Breeders Association of Zimbabwe plans to collaborate with local agricultural institutions and organisations to ensure effective dissemination of the knowledge gained, reaching a wider audience and maximising impact on goat farming practices in the country.
The association has also set up follow-up initiatives and support systems to monitor the progress and impact of participants’ post-master classes, enabling the tracking of their contributions to agricultural enhancement in Zimbabwe and providing assistance as needed.
