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A SURVEY OF DAIRY-GOAT KEEPING IN ZANZIBAR
Stone, TF; Francis, CA & Eik, LO
Abstract
Dairy goats with improved genetics for milk production were recently introduced onto
small-scale farms in Zanzibar through governmental and non-governmental projects.
These projects were meant to support small-scale farmers by improving both income and
household nutrition through milk production. No follow up had been conducted to
understand what effects dairy goat keeping had on these small-scale farms, or how they
could be improved. A survey of 193 dairy goat farmers in Zanzibar was conducted,
including 30% and 60% of all dairy goat farmers on Unguja and Pemba, the two largest
islands, respectively. The objective was to understand the impact keeping dairy goats has
on small-scale farming systems, current husbandry practices including feed supply
(production and environmental concerns), perceived benefits and challenges of dairy
goat keeping (economics), and how to design appropriate extension programs to increase
sustainability (education). The survey with 116 questions explored topics including dairy
goat feeding practices, goat health, current milk production practices, sale and family
consumption, and education. Qualitative and quantitative information from the survey
led to a more holistic understanding of dairy goats in the farm system. The survey
established the key challenges limiting dairy goat production to be diseases (57% of
respondents), feed shortage during dry season (49%), economic constraints (21%), lack
of healthcare (18%), and lack of dairy goat husbandry information which would help
farmers address the other challenges listed above (14%). Two challenges identified
through later workshops were uncontrolled crossbreeding and lack of records. Key
benefits of dairy goat keeping are increased income from selling live animals and milk
(35%), manure (33%), milk (18%), and improved household nutrition (15%). Twelve
percent of respondents reported no benefit from keeping dairy goats. Average milk
production for dairy goats was 0.92 L per day for three months of the year, whereas local
meat goats milk production peaks at about 0.3 L per day, only enough milk to feed their
young. To make dairy goat keeping worthwhile, small-scale farmers need access to
appropriate animal health care, milk markets, and additional dairy goat husbandry
training. The findings of this survey will guide design of education and improvements to
the overall profitability and sustainability of dairy goat integration in Zanzibar and
provide a model for the humid tropics.
Keywords
dairy goat; tropical husbandry; small-scale farming systems; sustainability; agroecology
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