Farmer's Weekly (South Africa)
A renaissance in goat farming would empower smallholder producers
Smallholder village goat populations in South Africa play a crucial role in ensuring food security and economic sustainability, and preserving cultural heritage within local communities.
With approximately six million goats, South Africa boasts a diverse population of these animals, which exhibit unique genetic traits that make them well adapted to extreme environmental conditions.
However, despite being a major goat producer, South Africa faces challenges in the commercial production and consumption of goat meat, which is largely confined to specific breeds like Boer goats. In 2016, only 0,5% of goats were slaughtered in the commercial sector, with a meagre 39 008kg exported. The low offtake of goat meat can be attributed to several factors.
Firstly, the majority of goats are produced in the smallholder sector, where the genetics and genetic potential are poorly characterised, leading to low productivity and offtake. Additionally, the meat yield and carcass quality suffer due to a combination of genetic factors and suboptimal production methods.
The overall production system is marked by low input and unoptimised practices, rendering the enterprise economically unviable.
Moreover, underdeveloped markets for goats and goat products result in a mismatch between supply and demand.
Recognising these challenges, the Agricultural Research Council, in collaboration with other Southern
African Development Community countries, is spearheading a research initiative to address these issues.
The overarching goal is to enhance sustainable production, value addition, marketing and consumption of indigenous veld goats. This comprehensive approach aims to improve food and nutrition security and alleviate poverty through multidisciplinary research.
INCOME GENERATOR
Preliminary findings indicate that a high percentage of the smallholder goat farmers, specifically those involved in indigenous veld goat (IVG) farming, engage in IVG farming to generate income some for home consumption
and a small portion keep them for wealth status and cultural purposes.
The results further indicated that these goat farmers lack access to reliable markets. A significant percentage of farmers sell their goats within local communities and the prices are mostly set by the consumers. This is a disadvantage to the goat producers, with only a minimal proportion selling to abattoirs, and another portion not selling their goats because of the lack of markets in their communities.
In light of this, a comprehensive approach is recommended in the smallholder goat farming sector based on the preliminary findings.
This would include genetic improvement programmes for selective breeding, capacity-building initiatives for improved husbandry, and market linkages for diversification and increased profitability.
Infrastructure development, particularly in transportation and processing facilities, is crucial.
Strengthening extension services and implementing market information systems would also provide farmers with vital support.
Furthermore, access to financial resources, supportive policies and community engagement through co-operatives are essential.
Promoting environmentally sustainable practices is key for long-term viability.
This holistic approach aims to transform the smallholder goat value chain, fostering increased productivity, improved market access and enhanced livelihoods for farmers across the region.
Follow us at @FarmersWeeklySA
FROM FACEBOOK
@FarmersWeeklySA
We asked our followers to share their new year’s resolutions for 2024. Here are some of their responses.
READERS’ COMMENTS Letlhogonolo Masilo:
There are two courses that I want to attend in February: Boer goat and Dorper production. This will help me run a successful breeding business.
Save every drop of water and put it to good use, and study water management.
Enslin Blankenberg:
Buying heifers every third month. We’ve wasted a lot of money on useless things in the last four years. Time to invest in livestock!
Macdonald Moscow-Babe Malamedi: Selwelwang Mogale:
I am getting myself a second-hand tractor.
Strengthening my custom feedlot co-operative and having more than 50 standing cattle per intake.
Mhlobo Leta Mboyi Mbane: Want your photo to be featured as our ‘Photo of the Week’? Tag @FarmersWeeklySA on Twitter or Instagram to be considered! CARROTS ARE FACING A BOYCOTT IN CALIFORNIA
AGRI NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD
Local residents in New Cuyama, California, have joined in the fight over the rights to water supply in their tiny arid town by tactfully boycotting carrots.
MOST POPULAR ON FARMERSWEEKLY.CO.ZA
FARM SALES OUTLOOK POINTS TO POSITIVE GROWTH
The number of farm units sold in South Africa remained relatively stable at roughly 4 270 in 2023 compared with 2022, but is expected to increase in 2024 as farmers take advantage of the impact of good rain in the summer rainfall area on production, according to Johann Bornman, chairperson of Agri Development Solutions.
PHOTO OF THE WEEK
Bukhosibemvelo @nompi_sibalukhulu
“A smile is what I got!”
Via Instagram. Posted: 18 December 2023.
ORGANIC FOOD’S MARKET SHARE STAGNATING; ORGANIC FARMING LAND SLOWLY INCREASING
The turnover for organic food increased significantly in the past two years, but its market share seems to be stagnating.
FARMERS EARN PEANUTS AS BUYERS PAY MORE FOR FOOD
Kenyan farmers have consistenly earned less even as consumers pay more for food products, a new report has said.