Abstract:

Karamoja region is the poorest in Uganda, characterized by low economic development indicators. In Karamoja, the women are generally marginalized, and have limited economic opportunities. The goat production enterprise is a cheap and easy way to boost economic opportunities for women, whose well-being is crucial for the livelihoods of households in pastoralist/agro-pastoralist areas. The goats provide a quick source of cash, multiply fast into big herds, are relatively resilient to health conditions, and can survive well by grazing on low quality natural pastures, even in the dry season. This Livestock Livelihood project, under Farm Africa, is supporting 101 women groups (each 20 to 25 members) in four districts of Karamoja (Napak, Nakapiripirit, Moroto and Kotido), by providing them with start-up resources to boost goat production and build their technical capacity to manage goats as a source of household income and food security (especially milk for the children). Nabuin Zonal Agricultural Research and Development Institute (Nabuin ZARDI) was contracted to do the training of community animal health workers and goat breeder association representatives in various aspects of goat production on behalf of Farm Africa. The training covered various aspects, including routine management practices, feeding, breeding, house construction, business management, and control of diseases, but with more emphasis on aspects of goat breeding, buck rotation and record keeping. The methodology of training involved a participatory group-learning and hands-on-practical training, which allowed learning-by-doing so that the trainees can own and adopt the resources and management practices. The participants showed high enthusiasm in sharing and acquiring new knowledge and skills in goat production. There is hope the trainees will put in to practice what they learnt during the training, to enhance goat production and reduce poverty levels. Future on-farm follow-up trainings should be conducted by the technical people specially on in goat breeding, buck rotation and record keeping, but also continuous technical back-stopping performed by the community-based animal health workers.