Goat rearing

Goat rearing provides a reliable source of income year-round for farmers, who can sell goats’ milk, meat, cheese, butter and hides easily and quickly for cash to meet their families’ needs.

Then, as goats breed, farmers can sell the kids and see their incomes grow.

Goats’ milk can provide most of the essential nutrients and energy required by growing children.

Food insecurity is a major challenge in many rural communities in eastern Africa, which can lead to malnutrition and stunting in children, so access to a rich source of protein such as goats’ milk can improve families’ diets.

Goats are an excellent livestock option for women. Small and relatively low-maintenance, goats can be easily cared for close to home for those juggling domestic responsibilities.

They do not require much up-front investment or land compared to larger animals, making them suitable for pastoralist women, who often have less access to land and financial resources than men.

The income received from rearing goats ensures female farmers can afford various expenses such as their children’s school fees and medical costs.

Farm Africa helps to establish Women’s Livestock Groups, through which we provide training in goat rearing and fodder and rangeland management to women.

We improve women’s access to livestock by setting up revolving goat schemes, which require each woman who receives two goats from Farm Africa to give two does (female goats) to another vulnerable woman once her herd grows, creating a cycle of improved prosperity.

The climate in eastern Africa can be harsh and unpredictable and it’s sometimes difficult for farmers to keep cattle healthy or grow enough crops to feed their children.

But goats are tough and hardy animals that can help build farmers’ resilience to climate change:

• Goats are well-adapted to arid landscapes and can thrive in variable temperatures during food and water shortages.
• Goats can help farmers grow crops as their manure can be used as fertiliser.
• Goats have short reproduction cycles of only five months and often produce twins, allowing for plenty of opportunity for breeding, and particularly rebuilding population numbers if they drop after a drought.

Farm Africa provides support and training to community animal health workers in eastern Africa, who provide essential veterinary services to pastoral communities, such as vaccinating and spraying goats to keep parasites at bay.

They play a crucial role in reducing livestock mortality and maintaining healthy and highly productive herds.

Safeguarding the health of goats means safeguarding female farmers’ ability to have milk for their children and manure for growing crops.

And healthy goats mean farmers can earn an income, lift their families out of poverty and help future generations to grow and thrive.