GOAT AND SHEEP FARMING: INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY FOR AGROPRENEURS

Kalahari Goat

Goat and Sheep farming are profitable enterprises that is now attracting investors. Goat and Sheep are essentially raised for their meat and milk. Commercial goat and sheep farmers have been rearing under intensive and semi-intensive system of management using improved technologies, (such as Prophylaxis, Growth enhancers, Artificial Insemination, Low cost feeds/fodders, Hydroponic fodders, Value addition and innovative marketing of the produce), these acts have become imperative not only for realizing their full potential but also to meet the increasing demand of goat and sheep products in the domestic and international markets. Due to its good economic prospects, goat and sheep rearing under semi-intensive systems for commercial production has been gaining momentum for the past couple of years. 
Interestingly, indigenous goat and sheep are commanding good sales in market. Indigenous sheep (Udda; Balami, etc.) and goats (West African Dwarf; Red Sokoto, etc.) like freedom and don't want to be restricted to one spot, however, they should not be allowed to graze in early hours of the day but when sunshine is available. High demand for goat and sheep (especially ram) and theirs products with potential of good economic returns have been driving many progressive farmers, businessmen, professionals, ex-servicemen and graduates to take up the enterprises on a commercial scale. The emerging favourable market conditions and easy accessibility to improved technologies are also drawing the attention of agropreneurs. Important areas that could be of interest to investors include Abattoirs and Butcheries. 

Value is now being added to Goat and Sheep meat and this includes Suuya production, 'Killishi' production , Peppered Goat/Sheep Meat, Packaged Goat/Sheep Meat production, etc. Food processing factory are now making use of goat/sheep in their daily processing, e.g. Sausage production, Mince Pie, etc. Goat or sheep meat can be retail at N1200 per Kilogram.

Dry Meat: Killishi

Goats/Sheep could be indigenous or exotic breeds. Example of exotic goat breeds are Kalahari, Boer goat, etc. Kalahari Red Goat is a special breed that had its origin from South-Africa. This particular breed is now gaining widespread interest of agropreneurs because of its hardy nature which makes it possible to adapt to harsh weather conditions. Kalahari Red Goat also has high prolificacy, good mothering ability, good meat quality (lean meat with excellent taste and texture), and high carcass (meat) quantity.

Many dairy farms have been employing better breeds of goats for quality milk production. Some of these breeds include Saanen goats, Cyprus Shami goats, etc. Goat Milk is now being preferred over cow milk because it has more calcium, phosphorous, Vitamin A; B, Iron, and chlorine than cow’s milk. Goat milk also has lower cholesterol in comparison to cow milk. Local breeds of goat or sheep can be crossbred to get better and improved breed. Kalahari and WAD have been successfully crossbred to get  KalaWad. Many of the indigenous goats and sheep can be improved through crossbreeding by using Artificial Insemination.

South African Boer Goat

Goat or sheep enterprise focusing on selling live animals can be started with  $5,000 depending on the scale of operation. Indigenous goats like Red Sokoto from Northern part of Nigeria are very cheap which can range from N5,000 - N8,000 but are sold at high price in Southern part of Nigeria which can range from N10,000 - N14,000.

Main objective of setting up goat or sheep farming is to make profit. However, profit making hinges on good marketing management on the part of agropreneur. Hence, goat marketing involves identifying;

Needs of consumers: Buyers require goats or sheep of different ages, size, breeds, etc. Some buyers  such  as  the  local  traders  are  much  concerned  about  the  size  while  some buyers from the urban, high value markets emphasize on quality.

Sheep (Indigenous)

Specific group of customers:  Some of the specific goat or sheep markets are individual, traders, abattoirs, NGOs, ethnic groups, supermarket and export market.

Product:  In the goat or sheep business the products that we can sell to the market are live goats/sheep, goat/sheep meat, hides/skins, milk, etc.

Right  quantities:  It  is  also  important  for  agropreneurs  to  plan  their  production  so  that  they will consistently  supply  the  required  quantities  at  specified time intervals. This is key in business as this helps towards building long-standing and mutually beneficial relationships with your buyers.

Right time and place:  When you start your goats/sheep business to organized high value markets, you need to plan your production and logistics to meet the market requirements.

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