Goat indaba set for Bulawayo

Natasha Sipindiye, Sunday News Reporter

THE Goat Breeders Association of Zimbabwe will be holding a goat indaba which is set for the Bulawayo Agricultural Society at the Zimbabwe International Exhibition Centre (Trade Fair grounds).

The Indaba which will take place on 27 October is focused on priming the Zimbabwean goat industry for export.

It will be followed by a junior course set for 28 to 29 October with the trainer being the president of the South African Boer Goat Breeders Association Mr Kobus Lotter.

In an interview, chairperson of the association Mrs Sifiso Agbetorwoka said the indaba will bring together local and international experts in the goat industry to map out a strategy for the future of the industry in terms of export preparedness.

“We will bring together all key stakeholders in the goat and related industries in order to maximise the potential of the industry,” said Mrs Agbetorwoka.

She said the event aims to encourage existing goat breeders to scale up production and for aspiring breeders to get started, revealing that Zimbabwe does not have enough goats to meet local demand, let alone the export market.

“We also want to increase membership of the Goat Breeders Association of Zimbabwe. There is power in numbers as we need to influence policies and regulations that affect our industry,” she said.

On the junior course, Mrs Agbetorwoka said the course was being fully accredited by the SA Boer Goat Breeders Association.

“The junior course is the first rung on the ladder to becoming a qualified inspector and Boer goat judge for those who wish to take that route. We hope that breeders will consider this route as it will help our industry to grow and develop our own quality standards to enable us to compete globally,” she said.

The association’s chairperson said the course will equip breeders with the knowledge and skills on how to identify stud, flock and cull goats.

“Sadly, the industry, due to lack of knowledge encounters a lot of animals being sold to unsuspecting breeders and pure breeds when in reality they are not. Also included in the training is goat selection, management, vaccination programmes, parasite control and nutrition. The event is open to everyone who is interested in the goat value chain. We are inviting local businesses to sponsor or partner with us,” said Mrs Agbetorwoka.