Okanguma BoerGoat Farming under the leadership of Katahunda Matundu on Thursday concluded its two-day workshop on goat farming and ways of mitigating loss due to mismanagement at Otjorungondo Agra Auction crush pen in Opuwo.
Thirty-seven farmers attended the training while renowned and experienced goat farmer Rapaturuka Rukero facilitated the workshop alongside the event organiser Matundu.
The workshop gave practical knowledge on how goats or small livestock farmers could minimise losses from mismanagement especially during dry seasons and persistent dry spells in Kaokoland. Amongst the topics discussed were the improvement of goat herds, artificial insemination in dairy goats, breeding strategies and objectives in the tropics genomics in small ruminant production with breeding objectives emphasised.
Matundu stated that it was imperative to organise such an event to educate farmers on goat farming, noting that such seminars have been long overdue judging by the vast number of goat farmers within the Kunene Region and particularly in Kaokoland.
Matundu also said that most times, youth from the region shy away from such educative workshops and would rather engage in pettiness and alcohol talks coupled with romantic relationships with no tangible developmental growth engagements. He said the workshop was therefore hosted to prepare farmers in identifying goat farming as not just for meat and petty sales but as a big business.
Rukero said he is passionate about farmers in Kaokoland and was happy to share his knowledge with farmers who for the past few months had been calling him asking for advice about goat farming. He also mentioned that as a practical experienced goat farmer, it is always necessary to avoid farming more than 300 animals as this may cause overgrazing especially in small areas of land, noting that one also spends or invests less in goats as compared to other livestock, thus generating more income.
Rukero further reiterated that one of the greatest advantages of farming goats is that it is easy to maintain while offspring doubles more than any other livestock including sheep.
Speaking to Nampa after the workshop, Ukundurua Tjiuma said the workshop was an eye-opener, where he got to learn more about farming and managing “bucks” while at the same time maintaining pregnant doe en route to and after delivery.
“It is first-hand information for me and I would also like for such workshops to be introduced all over the region in future,” he said.
Tjiuma however also mentioned that the region is faced with various challenges ranging from lack of interest and knowledge when it comes to farming, the persistent drought and lack of potable water which at times deter willing farmers from pursuing farming.
Source: The Namibian Press Agency
