Journal of
Agricultural Extension and Rural Development

  • Abbreviation: J. Agric. Ext. Rural Dev
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 2141-2170
  • DOI: 10.5897/JAERD
  • Start Year: 2009
  • Published Articles: 489

Full Length Research Paper

Situational analysis of smallholder goat production and marketing in Central Tanzania point towards the establishment of farmers’ groups

Daniel M. Komwihangilo1*, Mary Jackson1, Yustina Munishi2 and Basil S. A. Liheta3
1National Livestock Research Institute, P. O. BOX 202, Mpwapwa, Tanzania. 2Mpwapwa District Council, P. O. Box 27, Mpwapwa, Tanzania. 3Moshi University College of Cooperative and Business Studies, Shinyanga Campus, P. O. Box 469, Shinyanga, Tanzania.
Email: dkoomwihangilo2001@yahoo. com

  •  Accepted: 25 February 2012
  •  Published: 11 July 2012

Abstract

Small East African (SEA) goats form the largest part of the small ruminant population in Tanzania. In the view of increasing productivity of goats and improving welfare of goat keepers in the country, a participatory study was carried out to examine SEA goat keeping in two districts of Central Tanzania. The results obtained show that productivity was constrained by seasonal fluctuations of feed supplies, prevalence of diseases such as contagious caprine pleuropneumonia (CCPP), lumpy skin disease and foot-rot, and various ecto- and endo-parasites. Investment and farm income was constrained by fluctuating prices [TSh. 20,000.00 to 68,000.00 (US$ 13 to 45) per goat]. These problems prevailed because of inadequate farmers’ knowledge on improved feeding, nutritional and disease-control strategies, lack of market information and lack of power to negotiate price returns. The contribution of SEA goats to the socio-economic well-being of smallholders would be improved by strengthening local farmers’ groups to facilitate the delivery of appropriate techniques of feeding, breeding and disease control.

 

Key words: Tanzania, goat, participatory, marketing, farmers’ groups.