Goats as a Livelihoods Option Amidst Climatic Shifts in Zimbabwe

The El Nino-induced drought currently ravaging Zimbabwe, and many other countries in the Southern African countries is a clarion call to rethink our agricultural and food systems. Drought is forcing all smallholder farmers to sell at exactly the same time, for exactly the same reason, such that livestock prices are plummeting leaving the smallholder farmers in a loop of poverty for years to come. Goats are an important source of income and nutrition to many poor and marginal farmers that can be used to help smallholders farmer cushion their livelihoods amidst climatic shifts. Goats also have relatively low input requirements and a corresponding high expected output. Goats are often referred to as village banks in some rural areas where the villagers invest their money on purchasing and feeding goats and consider it as an appropriate way to save money for the future. (Oluwatayo I.B., 2012)

Goats have an ability to reduce their metabolic processes to conserve energy resources during feed scarcity. In addition, goats emit less enteric methane (CH4) than all other domestic ruminant animals per unit body weight. Because of their browsing habit and the anatomical advantage of the upper lips, goats can thrive well with limited feedstuff , especially in arid and semi-arid regions. (Yami A, 2018) However, farmers will have to apply a lot of knowledge and skill to get the most out goats during this season of lack. It's no longer that goat can look after themselves alone.

Extensive grazing systems that predominate amongst smallholders who own 95% of Zimbabwe’s approximate 4,5 million goat population will need to be revisited because of the heat stressors that may affect the production, health and survival of goats under conditions of climate change.

A report on climate change and its impact on Southern African food systems refers to goats as the second most valued livestock after cattle in rural areas (Ogundeji, 2022: 591) Zimbabwean farmers need to take advantage of the capacity of goats to adapt to the negative impacts of climate change and their benefits in sustainable production. As our climate increasingly grows unpredictable, goats will certainly have a prominent role to play in mitigating the detrimental impacts of climate change.

The resilient nature of goats makes them a profitable enterprise capable of thriving despite climatic challenges and multiple environmental stressors that other livestock like cattle may not be able to recover from (Mataveia et al., 2021: 157; Nair, Sejian et al., 2021: 2230). Goats have numerous advantages that enable them to maintain their production under extreme climate conditions. (Koluman N, 2023)

They have efficient browsing behavior as well as an efficient digestive system, allowing them to remain productive in difficult environmental circumstances. Strong heat resistance, outstanding feed conversion efficiency, survival in adverse climatic circumstances, and high resistance to many diseases are all traits that contribute to production.[1]

According to Koluan N. (2023), “… goats have strong heat resistance, outstanding feed conversion efficiency, survival in adverse climatic circumstances, and high resistance to many diseases are all traits that contribute to production.”

The ability of an animal to cope and adapt itself to the changing climate virtually depends on the function of rumen and rumen inhabitants such as bacteria, protozoa, fungi, virus and archaea. (Pragna P. et al, 2018) High temperatures harm the physiology of the rumen and in turn the nutritional status of an animal.

As a result of these characteristics, goats are able to adapt and thrive even in conditions of extreme climatic conditions. The total anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions attributed to livestock production globally is 7-18%, and of this goats account for 4%.

In itself, goat farming is a growing market with plenty of growth opportunities particularly for new entrepreneurs. Goats need to be produced in a future-proof and responsible manner. There is a need to combine the traditional care for and dedication to their goats with the most advanced farm management processes in the world.

According to FAOSTAT, 2022, small ruminant animals, which account for 58% of total livestock and have a global population of 2.397 billion heads, comprising 1.285 billion sheep and 1.112 billion goat.?Goats are efficient feed converters. So in instances of disruptive climatic conditions, goats have a higher capacity to convert some feed sources into milk and meat more effectively than other farm animals.

During the feed conversion process, goats produce less methane gas which contributes to climate change as compared to beef which produces more methane gas and is more consumed around the globe.

Goats are able to live and produce in limited rangelands, high temperature, and drought conditions, and have a strong resistance to external parasites and diseases (Berihulay et al., 2019, Koluman Darcan and Silanikove, 2018)

It is not enough though to discuss the adaptability of goats without mentioning production and breed types. The globe’s approximately 1150 breeds or ecotypes are distributed in both temperate and tropical climes. In Zimbabwe, there are breeds of goats such as the Small East African Mashona type and the Matebele breed that have evolved over centuries with low energy, protein, and water turnover rates. It is unfortunate that these breeds are often relegated to the sidelines in current discussions about breed types in spite of their profligacy.

For smallholder farmer in Zimbabwe’s outlying areas, there is a need to apply next-generation production techniques that can result in better goat sizes. Practices that promote inbreeding, and overall poor husbandry need to be stemmed through educational programs and extension services. These poor can be guaranteed a higher production system with little infrastructure and effort.

#bethegoat #goatunltd #wegotyou #naturally great

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Koluman N. 2023. Goats and their role in climate change. Small Ruminant Research. Volume 228, November 2023, 107094