Communal goat production in Southern Africa: a review

Abstract

Despite the fact that about 64% of goats in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are located in rural arid (38%) and semi-arid (26%) agro-ecological zones and that more than 90% of goats in these zones are indigenous, information on indigenous breeds is inadequate. This paper reviews the social and economic importance of goats to the communal farmer and assesses the potential of using goats in rural development in Southern Africa. Farmers in Southern Africa largely use the village goat management system. There are various goat breeds in Southern Africa, of which the Mashona, Matabele, Tswana, Nguni and the Landim are the dominant ones. It is, however, not clear if these breeds are distinct. Major constraints to goat production include high disease and parasite prevalence, low levels of management, limited forage availability and poor marketing management. Potential research areas that are required to ensure that goats are vehicles for rural development include evaluation of constraints to goat production, assessing the contribution of goats to household economies and food securities throughout the year, genetic and phenotypic characterisation of the indigenous breeds to identify appropriate strains and sustainable methods of goat improvement through either selection or crossbreeding.

Yield and Milk Composition at Different Stages of Lactation from a Small Herd of Nguni, Boer, and Non-Descript Goats Raised in an Extensive Production System

“…The nutritional [8] and therapeutic properties of goat milk [9] for human benefits have been reported, although, most indigenous South African goat breeds are not used for milk production and very little is known on the yield and the nutritional composition of the milk. According to Rumosa-Gwae et al [10], the indigenous South African goat breeds are the most abundant and readily available farm animals owned by communal farmers and most rural households compared to sheep and cattle. Information on the yield and nutritional composition (minerals, fat, and protein) in milk is, therefore, vital to promote the right formulation of feeds for goat kids and as food for humans, especially infants [11,12].…”

“…There are different goat genotypes kept in the rural areas [10], which would potentially have different milk yields. On the basis of lacking literature, it will be worthwhile to conduct an on-farm study on the milk yield and composition of goats from communal areas.…”

The Effect of Supplementing Air-Dried Moringa stenopetala Leaf to Natural Grass Hay on Feed Intake and Growth Performances of Arsi-Bale Goats

“…Goats play important roles in communities by improving the livelihood of resource-challenged farmers by creating alternative employment opportunities, enhancing family income by sale of live animals, skin, manure etc. Apart from contributing to human nutrition in form of meat and milk, they also act as an income buffer to the risks associated with erratic climatic changes [3]. In addition, demand for goat's meat is on the rise throughout the world, particularly in Ethiopia, due to increased human population coupled with income growth particularly in the cities.…”

Yield and Milk Quality Parameters at Different Stages of Lactation from a Small Herd of Nguni, Boer and Non-Descript Goats Raised in an Extensive Production System

“…Although, most indigenous South African goat breeds are not used for milk production and very little is known on the yield and the nutritional composition of the milk. According to [10], the indigenous South African goat breeds are the most abundant and readily available farm animals owned by communal farmers and most rural house-holds compared to sheep and cattle. Information on the yield and nutritional composition (minerals, fat and protein) in milk is, therefore vital to promote the right formulation of feeds for goat kids and as food for humans especially infants [11,12].…”

“…There are different goat genotypes kept in the rural areas [10], which would potentially have different milk yields. Considering that little/ no work has been done, it will be worthwhile to do an on-farm study on the milk yield and composition of goats from communal areas.…”