Goat farming in Nigeria is another form of agro-business that holds an excellent potential source of income for a farm investor.
Just like poultry and fish farming, when goat farming is done on a large scale, it is a viable source of income for investors.
Goat farming is the large-scale practice of rearing various breeds of goats for commercial purposes.
Goat farming can be established for a lot of reasons. The purposes of rearing goats can include any or all of the following: milk production, meat, and fiber.
The purpose of your goat farming will determine the choice of goat breeds you would rear.
Opportunities in Goat Farming
1. Goat Meat Production
Goat meat is in high demand in Nigeria. A vast number of Nigerians cannot do without eating goat meat pepper soup in a day or the famous “isi ewu” dish.
It is the delight of many, both at home, in the workplace, in restaurants, at parties, and on a lot of other occasions and places. The majority of Nigerians prefer goat meat to chicken meat.
The most commonly raised breed of goat for household consumption in Nigeria is the Nigerian dwarf goat.
This is mostly reared by a lot of households in the south-south and south-eastern parts of Nigeria for personal consumption and sale in the local markets.
2. Proper rearing for Dairy Production
Goats can be reared to obtain dairy products like yoghurt, milk, cheese, butter, and a lot more. Rearing goats for dairy production, although it is not very popular in Nigeria, is a good source of income for farmers in other countries of the world.
3. Fiber Production
To produce fiber in your goat farming business, the Angora and Cashmere goats are more suitable for fiber production.
4. Skin Production
All goats can produce skin, but the Black Bengal goat breed is best for producing high-quality skin. The skin of the Black Bengal goat is of very high value in the international market.
5. Manure Production
Some farmers that deal with cash crops make use of goat manners in their fields. It is a high-quality organic fertilizer. Goat farmers can generate more income by selling their goat manure.
Why you need to consider investing in the goat farming business
- Goat farming in Nigeria is easier than poultry farming.
- When it is invested at an appropriate scale, it provides a good source of employment.
- It provides a good source of animal protein.
- It requires only moderate start-up capital.
- It is not labor-intensive.
- It provides a good source of manure for plant farming.
- It is suitable for almost all types of weather.
- Thus, Goat can be grown both in the northern and southern parts of the country.
- You can comfortably merge goat farming with cattle rearing.
- Goats can serve as a great export product.
Types of Goat Breeds
1. Nigerian Dwarf Goat
This is the most common Nigerian goat breed. It can serve the purpose of meat production and also be reared for dairy production.
The Nigerian Dwarf Goat is the best breed of goat for dairy production. However, Nigerians love to use it in the preparation of a lot of dishes like pepper soup and others to other African dishes and cuisines.
Despite the small size of the Nigerian Dwarf Goats, they can manufacture three to four pounds of milk every day. They produce roughly 6.1 percent of butterfat. It is laborious to milk them, but they can be reared any time of the year
2. The Nubian Goat
The Nubian goat is also known as the Anglo-Nubian goat. They are large-sized and lovely. They have a Roman nose and long ears that are in pendulum form.
They are cross-breed of Indian and African bucks. They produce roughly 4.6 percent of butterfat. They reproduce seasonally and can be reared at any time of the year.
3. The Lamancha Goat
This goat breed is common in the US. However, they originated in Spain. They are powerful, robust, and friendly goat breeds. They are mostly reared for dairy production.
They are easy to milk. They are of medium size and have small ears of either gopher or elf ears.
4. Alpine Goat
This breed of goat is also known as the “French Alpines” because they initially originated in the Alps. They are commonly found in the US. They are one of the best goats for dairy production. Their milk is made up of roughly 3.5 percent of butterfat.
5. Oberhasli Goat
This goat breed is a medium-sized goat as well-referred to as the “swiss alpine.” They are not grown at all times of the year. They produce milk with roughly 3.6 percent butterfat.
6. Boer Goat
The Boer goat breed has a hanging ear and roman nose and is mostly grown in South Africa. Their horns are curved backward. This goat breed can only breed in September and close to the end of January.
Goat Feed
Goats are ruminant animals, and they can eat most of the crops that other animals eat, such as corn and leaves.
It is best if you have a grazing ground where you can roam around freely. Operating this kind of system, the goats get their foods from natural sources; this will reduce the amount you may have to spend on food.
But if you choose to feed the goats with homemade supplementary feed, just make sure the elements are available the markets close to you. Finally, also ensure the availability of clean water.
Steps to Start a Goat Farming Business
- Acquire a suitable plot of land for the goats.
- Fence the chosen land area with coated barb wires to prevent the goats from wandering off.
- Build a goat barn to shelter your pen from harsh atmospheric conditions.
- Get the right breed of goat, depending on your reason for the farm.
- Maintain constant Appointment with a qualified Veterinary Doctor
Goat Farming Business Tips
- Make your financial plans based on the size of the goat farm you want to operate. Your financial plan will highly depend on your capital.
- Make a study on the market, to know who your competitors are and what they do to keep their business running. Also, try to investigate the challenges they are facing.
- Research who your customers will be and how to win their hearts.
- Research the feeds, and where to get quality feeds at a minimum cost.
- If you plan to operate on a vast scale, you will need to employ the services of at least one or two experts, with good experience.
- Consider the environmental factors, and make sure it will have no adverse effect on the business.
- Make sure you have a link to at least two veterinary doctors. The services of the veterinary doctor can be needed at any slightest time.
- Analyze the future position of your goat farm, as well as the profit. But while you do this, always make plans for reinvestment.
Frequently Asked Question
This is the list of the most asked questions related to goat farming. And we believe we were able to answer all questions.
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