Chronicle Editor
Nothando Zondo, Sunday News Reporter
ESIGODINI Agricultural College recently took delivery of more than 50 goats from the Green Climate Fund that are expected to improve the local goat breed for farmers and build resilience in the face of climate change.
The targeted districts include Umzingwane, Insiza and Gwanda in Matabeleland South Province.
The project, that is sponsored by Green Climate Fund in partnership with Agritex saw the college receiving 51 goats with seven farmers selected from each district going to benefit from the programme which aligns with the national livestock recovery programme whose focus is on enhancing food security in the country.
In light of the current El Nino conditions, the project aims to provide farmers with goats to bolster their food and nutrition security.
Each of the seven farmers will receive two pregnant goats to facilitate rapid multiplication.
The initiative is set to bring significant benefits to the region’s agricultural community.
National Assembly member for Umzingwane constituency Brigadier-General (Rtd) Levi Mayihlome said the project was relevant to the community.
“We embrace it fully because it will improve breeds and assist in changing mindsets about goat breeding so that communities start seeing goat breeding as a commercial enterprise, not just for subsistence. We hope this spreads to all wards in Umzingwane given the continued dwindling of grazing pastures for cattle. Goats, being browsers, will certainly be the livestock for the future,” said Brig-Gen (Rtd) Mayihlome.
Esigodini Agricultural College principal Mr Farai Gomo, said the decision to focus on goat breeding arose from the need to assist farmers in adapting to the challenges posed by climate change.
“We started planning for the project three years ago. We began by renovating the college’s science lab to fit the intended future purpose, mobilising farmers to join farmer field schools, training staff members, sensitisation, mobilising resources and renovating the goat facilities,” he said.
Mr Gomo said as a college under the new curriculum, they were going to implement one of the new pillars which was extension and advisory services.
“Under this pillar, we are to interact with the farmers in the region. So the coming in of the goats is going to allow us to fulfil that pillar as we are going to go out to meet our farmers. Our students are also going to be exposed in the extension work, where they go out to meet the farmers,” he said.
One of the lecturers from the college, Mr Zibusiso Nxumalo said the project focuses on breeding Matebele and Kalahari goats, each with distinct advantages.
“The Matabele goats are said to have originated from Matabeleland while the Kalahari goats originated from Kalahari Desert. The advantage of the Matabele goats is that they adapt fast, they can survive in any climate but they are small.
“In contrast, the Kalahari goats are big, with more flesh and produce more milk. They also give birth to twins, making them multiply fast. However, their size and diet requirements present challenges, making them prone to tick-borne diseases and necessitating special shelter,” Mr Nxumalo explained.
The cross-breeding initiative aims to produce offsprings with a 50 percent blend of the desirable characteristics of both breeds.
“An offspring that has 50 percent characteristics of each goat will be big, fleshy, milky, adapting and can stand any climatic condition. The wanted offspring will be giving birth to twins, that is multiplying fast and able to survive droughts,” further added the project focal person Mr Shepherd Simango.
Mrs Sinikweyinkosi Ndlovu, the vice-principal of the college, highlighted the educational benefits of the initiative, saying students were gaining practical experience in goat farming, entrepreneurship and community engagement.
“The institution benefits from this project since its curriculum includes goat farming under the small stock production,” Mrs Ndlovu said.
“Through this project, the learners are also inspired to be entrepreneurs since they have first-hand experience of how to keep them,” she said.
As the project grows, it is anticipated that the institution will continue to play a pivotal role in supporting the region’s farmers, fostering sustainable agricultural practices and contributing to the broader goals of food security and livestock development.
Online Reporter
Bongani Ndlovu