Goat farming in Nigeria is quick changing into a extremely worthwhile enterprise, in accordance with specialists.
With rising demand and comparatively low enter prices, farmers at the moment are embracing this once-overlooked livestock enterprise, drawn by its excessive returns and rising market potential.
Amongst them is Michael Nwani, a Canada-based agropreneur, who runs one of many largest goat farms in south-eastern Nigeria.
Unfold throughout roughly eight acres, his farm is a testomony to his ardour for agriculture and his dedication to contributing to Nigeria’s meals safety.
“My want is to present again to my nation, increase meals safety, and revenue from the enterprise,” Nwani mentioned.
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“Nigeria is blessed, and as an enormous of Africa, we should return to our roots and construct it,” Nwani mentioned. “
In accordance with the World Financial institution knowledge, Nigeria imported about $1.33 million value of goat meat in 2022—a determine that alerts not solely sturdy market demand but in addition an unlimited, untapped alternative for native buyers.
Goat farming, typically described as a cash‑spinning enterprise, is worthwhile as a result of it requires comparatively low inputs whereas providing excessive yields.
“Goat farming is a cash‑spinning enterprise if managed correctly,” mentioned Michael Ozoje, a professor of Animal Breeding and Genetics on the Federal College of Agriculture, Abeokuta.
“Goats are hardy and illness‑resistant. In contrast to pigs, they’re globally accepted as a family delicacy. They’ve a excessive prolific charge, with a twinning charge about 40 p.c larger than most different livestock,” Ozoje famous.
Wahab Salami, president, Sheep and Goats Affiliation of Nigeria (SHEGOFAN), mentioned: “Goats reproduce sooner than cattle, their milk is extra nutritious than that of cattle, whereas their pores and skin is used as a supply of leather-based, making them a superb selection in terms of market availability and profitability.”
Ozoje defined that the animals’ resilience retains operational prices low. “One factor that makes them cheap to handle is their potential to show tough forage into wealthy protein,” he famous.
“They thrive even beneath harsh or unpredictable climate. And since their feed doesn’t compete with human meals provides, their potential for profitability is even larger,” Ozoje defined.
Farmers within the discipline share related experiences. Abubakar Tijjani, a goat farmer in Sokoto State, northern Nigeria, advised BusinessDay that he has by no means seen a livestock enterprise as straightforward to handle or as rewarding.
“They hardly ever fall in poor health, and also you don’t have to interrupt the financial institution to feed them as a result of they’ll eat virtually something—from forages to cassava peels and maize husks,” he mentioned.
“Relying in your finances, you can begin with as little as N500,000 and with as few as two or 5 goats,” Tijjani added.
In a latest put up on X, Insider Africa described goat farming as “an agribusiness with low enter prices, an enormous market and excessive return on funding.”
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make it huge in goat farming
Sustaining correct hygiene and normal housing are important for enhancing yields and lowering livestock mortality, specialists say. Overcrowding and poor air flow, then again, are a recipe for illness outbreaks and critical losses.
“Goats are extremely vulnerable to damp environments,” Ozoje warned.
“When setting up their pen, all the time guarantee the ground is elevated and sloped. This permits rainwater and urine to empty off simply, maintaining the world dry,” he famous.
He additionally added that hygiene shouldn’t cease at building. “By no means feed goats with moist grass. It might expose them to dangerous micro organism. Prioritise dry, clear feed, and guarantee good airflow of their pens. Hold their environment clear. These easy steps can forestall main well being points,” Ozoje mentioned.
New Technology Farms, an agribusiness platform, emphasises that breed choice, well timed vaccination, and balanced diet are key pillars of profitable goat farming.
For rookies and small-scale farmers, it recommends the West African Dwarf goat—a hardy breed recognized for its illness resistance and ease of administration.
“When you’re elevating goats for meat, think about Galla (Somali), Maradi, or Boer goats,” suggested Timothy Shekwolo, CEO of Timmy Built-in Farm Companies.
“For milk manufacturing, go for Saanen, Alpine, or Nubian breeds. They’re high performers in dairy output.”
Monetary implications
The price of setting up a goat pen is comparatively low in comparison with different livestock.
“It requires wooden, bamboo, and corrugated sheets to assemble an elevated goat pen,” mentioned a Kebbi State goat farmer.
“With simply N1.2 million, you may assemble a 100-capacity goat pen inside every week. Nevertheless, it’s advisable for rookies to begin with as few as 2 to five goats,” he famous.
“An elevated goat pen retains the pen from dampness, prevents water-logging throughout the wet season, and protects them from pests,” the farmer added.
“With fixed deworming and good hygiene practices, their survival charge is 90 p.c,” he mentioned.
Different farmers highlighted a budget feed price.
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“They don’t require a lot. You’ll be able to put together their feed from domestically sourced supplies like cassava peels, maize husks, and dried, floor leftovers,” Tijjani famous.
The price of shopping for your goat inventory ranges between N30,000 and N100,000 relying on their age (3, 6, or 9 months, and 1 12 months).
“It’s, nevertheless, advisable to begin with six-month-old inventory resulting from their nearer age to maturity and the truth that they’ve been correctly weaned,” Tijjani added.
Goats reproduce bi-annually, and their maturity spans between 12 and 18 months relying on the standard of feed and key administration practices.
“At maturity, native breeds could be bought between N50,000 and N280,000, crossbreeds between N450,000 and N750,000, whereas exotics go for N1 million to N 1.8 million relying on their measurement, breed, location, and season of the 12 months,” Tijjani famous. “These costs are nevertheless topic to vary,” he added.
Present standing
In 2023, Nigeria consumed roughly 365,000 metric tons — or 3.6 billion kilograms — of goat meat, in accordance with Statista. But solely 30 p.c of this demand was met by native provide.
“The remainder is imported largely from Sudan, Niger, Chad, and South Africa,” the report famous.
Regardless of being a web importer, Nigeria has an lively export scene. Dala Goat Farms, Heritage Farms, Golden Hooves, and Oke-Afa Farms stand out as main gamers within the nation’s goat meat exports.
In accordance with the 2022 Agricultural Census Report by NBS, out of the 40.2 million agricultural households, about 16 million or 41.2 p.c are engaged in goat farming.
Collectively, they maintain an estimated 124 million goats, principally raised by small-scale farmers.
shut the hole
The present provide deficit in goat manufacturing presents a transparent alternative for buyers to step in and bridge the hole.
“It is very important see goat farming not simply as a supply of livelihood however as a viable enterprise to spice up productiveness,” mentioned Ozoje.
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“Australia, the world’s main livestock producer, has invested closely on this sub-sector over time. Nigeria can do the identical,” he added.
Salami, earlier quoted, mentioned: “Stakeholders ought to make ranches accessible for small ruminant farming, particularly goats.”
“Goat farming is a serious employer of labour, however to unlock its full potential, we should prioritise correct coaching, entry to subsidised inputs, and credit score amenities,” he added.
