BERSEBA: Kharas governor, Aletha Frederick has urged farmers in her region to farm with goats as they have proven to be highly adaptable and resilient animals that can thrive in harsh environments with limited resources.
Frederick made the remarks here on Friday at the 4th edition of the Berseba Goat Expo 2023, held under the theme ‘Rebuilding for tomorrow’.
She said the fact that goats are able to thrive in harsh environments makes them a valuable asset for farmers facing drought conditions and their unique characteristics and abilities contribute to their significance in promoting sustainable agriculture practices and ensuring food security in challenging circumstances.
The primary reason why goats are significant in drought-stricken areas is their ability to efficiently utilize scarce water resources, she noted.
“Unlike other livestock species, goats have a lower water requirement due to their physiological adaptations, goats can survive on lower-quality fodder and browse vegetation, which allows them to graze on a wider range of plants, including those that are drought-tolerant or resistant,” she said.
Such adaptability enables goats to make the most out of limited water availability, reducing the strain on already scarce water supplies.
Frederick further said that goats have a higher feed conversion efficiency compared to other livestock species such as cattle or sheep citing that they can convert low-quality forage into high-quality milk, meat and fibre more efficiently making them an economically viable option for farmers in drought-prone regions, such as||Kharas.
She added that goats possess a remarkable reproductive capacity, which contributes to their significance in sustainable livestock farming while from an economic perspective, goats offer multiple income streams for farmers.
Frederick said the expo does not only provide a platform for showcasing local products but also fosters networking opportunities, knowledge sharing, and capacity building within the agricultural sector. “By highlighting the importance of goat farming, we hope to encourage sustainable agricultural practices and empower our farmers to contribute to the growth of our economy,” she said.
Berseba constituency councillor, Jeremias Goeieman said the annual event serves as a platform for local farmers to showcase their livestock, showcasing of arts and crafts work as well as create an opportunity for economic activities for small and medium enterprises in the village and surrounding areas.
Source: The Namibia Press Agency