Goat Farming: Nigerians Embrace Foreign Breeds

Kalahari Goat

Kalahari he-goat

By Prince Arinze Onebunne

Goat farming is becoming very popular day by day. Several businessmen are now considering establishing goat farming business, with focus on high yielding breeds. This is because goat is one of the main meat and milk producing animals. Goat’s milk and meat have huge domestic demand.

Therefore, commercial goat farming (under intensive or semi-intensive system) has been gaining momentum in the past few years. High demand for goat and goat products has made good economic returns of its initial investment possible. Easy accessibility to improved goat species and farming techniques has also made the business attractive to farmers. As a result, numerous commercial goat farms are now springing up in the country.

Choosing the right goat breeds for your commercial farm is very important. There are numerous breeds around the world. Some goat breeds produce quality skins and fiber. In Nigeria, the three main breeds of goat we have are: West African Dwarf, Sokoto Maradi Red and Borno Sahel White. The WAD goats are found in the southern parts of the country. It has the potential of good tasty meat with a good reproductive performance.

Kalahari she-goat
Kalahari she-goat

The Sokoto Maradi Red is found in the Northern part of the country and is well adapted to arid conditions. This breed produces good milk and meat and is highly notable for production of fine leather materials.

The Borno Sahel White which are also found in the semi-arid area in Northern Nigeria, is a good producer of meat and milk, but highly susceptible to trypanosomiasis.

However, the introduction of Boer and Kalahari Red breeds from South Africa into Nigeria has made them exotic breeds and the new game changer in modern goat farming in the country.

It is not for nothing that some state government have imported these exotic breeds from South Africa to sell to local farmers in their respective states with a view to reproducing them for beef, leather and dairy purposes, thereby encouraging profitable goat farming. Surely, ‘’A nation should not be judged by how it treats its highest citizens, but its lowest ones’’.

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This exotic South African breeds have better body conformation and are the type of livestock that easily adapt to the climate condition of the country. ‘’The South African Boer goat has brown head and neck but Kalahari Red is red all over.

At JOVANA FARMS we remain committed to providing farmers with quality breeds of farm animals. We have what it takes to make you successful; if you desire to invest in animal production anytime. We are ready and experienced to train, guide and mentor you wisely from site survey, farm set-up to the supply of fast growing animal species.

Kalahari he-goat
Kalahari he-goat

Goat eats wide range of vegetables, grasses, leaves, grains, tubers etc. In fact, goat can thrive on any edible material if allowed to forage freely. For mass production, Supplement food is needed for good health and fast growth.

Goats reach puberty between 6 and 12 months, depending on the breed and nutritional status. Female goats come into estrus every 21 days for 3 to 50 hours. In addition to natural mating, artificial insemination has gained popularity among modern goat breeders, as it allows easy access to a wide variety of bloodlines. Gestation period is approximately 150 days. They usually bear twins or more depending on the specie.

Goat farming has many benefits. As a result, it is very popular around the globe. The main benefits of commercial goat farming are listed as follows.

Goat meat is low in fat and it’s widely acceptable as source of food nutrient across ethnic and religious persuasions. It has excellent meat-quality and does not trigger allergic reactions when consumed.

Skin from the Kalahari Red provides the best leather material for the tannery industries. This, if properly harnessed for international trade, has a great potential as a foreign exchange earner and can put Nigeria in an enviable position in the global leather industry.

Contact us for consultancy or attend Jovana Farms seminars nearest to you and know more opportunities in goat farming. Can’t attend? Order for self-tutorial VCD & BOOK. Visit us at www.jovanafarms.com, E-mail:[email protected] or Call: 080 33262 808, for more details.

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