Sustainable Goat farming

Goats
Theme
Food system
Area
Place and constituency
Kilifi, Ganze, Sokoke
See location
Summary

Implementing goat farming, resilient to climate unpredictability, offers a profitable alternative to maize farming, with locally available breeds and goats able to forage on leaves during dry seasons and grasses during rainy seasons. 

The problem

Ganze sub-county being a region prone to climatic uncertainties like prolonged drought sustainable goat farming offers a viable alternative to rain-fed agriculture. 

The solution

Implementation of goat farming which has shown resilience and adaptive to climate unpredictability. Goats are resilient to diseases, can produce more than 2 times a year giving a return of 200% which makes it profitable than maize farming, it's easier to start since locally available breeds cost about 3,000Ksh - 7,000Ksh and during the dry season goats forage on leaves and twigs while during the rain season they feed on grasses. With the availability of large tracts of communal land goat farming is the solution to loss of livelihoods among communities as a result of climate change. 

Key-Takeaways
  • Resilient and Profitable: Goat farming, adaptable to climate variability, yields returns of 200% compared to maize farming
  • Building modern goat structures not only ensures goat security during rain seasons but also serves as an educational hub for promoting sustainable goat farming practices, offering a solution to community livelihood loss caused by climate change.
Potential for scaling

Introduction of Improved breeds (Gala) in the farm and cross them with the East African Goats to improve breeds. Gala breeds of goats gain weight very fast compared to the local breed and can be ready for the market within 1-2 years and fetch a market price of 8,000Ksh -20,000Ksh. Gala goats also have the capability of producing milk which can also help improve nutrition within the family and neighborhood. Build a modern goat structure that will improve security of the goats during rain seasons and also act as an Educational Centre for people to come and learn about goat farming.