THE country’s goat industry is firmly positioned to explore the export market on the backdrop of various Government programmes that are set to propel the growth of the national goat herd with the rising demand for goat meat globally poised to address market challenges.
The Agricultural Marketing Authority (AMA) chief executive officer Mr Clever Isaya yesterday said various Government-initiated goat programmes launched last year were set to initiate the expansion of the country’s goat industry, as it moved to meet domestic, regional and international demand for meat. He said AMA had also been tasked with exploring and identifying market opportunities for the country’s agricultural produce, which included goat meat.
The Government invested $87 million (local currency) towards the launch of the Presidential goat scheme that is designed to capacitate the rural population to manage a goat herd that can compete to serve the export market.
“With a national herd of four million in 2021, goat production is now set as a viable export option for resuscitating the meat export business in Zimbabwe,” said Mr Isaya.
Small-scale goat farmers have formed a producer business association to ensure continued productivity sustained by organised marketing following growing calls by the Government for farmers to incorporate business practices into agricultural production.
During last year’s Dubai Inward Buyer Mission, marketing goat meat was declared one of the most profitable business opportunities with a stable but growing demand.
“Going into the future the organisation will be targeting the international market starting with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), as it is a ready market for goat meat,” said Mr Isaya adding that the UAE imported 16 973 tonnes of goat meat from Zimbabwe last year, which positions the country as a potential major player in that value chain.
The Muslim community requires two million goats annually, which they consume during major festivals on the Muslim calendar presenting goat producers with a major market.
Added Mr Isaya: “The country’s goat industry is set to go on a remodelling programme that will see it operating on a commercial level that will enable it to meet the demands of the lucrative Muslim community. To supply this market farmers, need to be equipped with the necessary documentation such as Halaal and sanitary certifications.”
In addition, goats are naturally easier and cheaper options for livestock production, as they can thrive even under difficult conditions in which there is less water, a characteristic that is critical in climate proofing the livestock sub-sector. Experts say goats withstand drought conditions better than cattle and can survive on shrubs with less manpower to man them.
According to Trade map, the global market demand for goat meat increased from US$6, 9 billion in 2017 to US$8, 6 billion last year.
An increase in demand for goat meat therefore offers small-scale farmers in semi-arid Zimbabwe with opportunities for increased market participation.
Recently, the Zimbabwe Agriculture Growth Programme (ZAGP) team leader Mr Newton Chari said top quality breeding stock distribution to farmers was ongoing at goat improvement centres and private sector integrators, which would contribute towards increasing goat numbers. – The Herald
