Gracinda Mataveia * **, Abubeker Hassen** and Carina Visser** * Department of Clinics, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Eduardo Mondlane, Maputo, Mozambique ** Department of Animal and Wildlife Sciences, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of Pretoria, South Africa Goats play a vital role in food security and contribute to improved livelihoods for various resource-poor communities. In Africa, goats are deeply entrenched in almost every African culture, particularly within those communities that are not able to keep large livestock. Goats have a relatively high productivity in harsh environments, use inexpensive feed resources, have a short reproductive cycle and have higher prolificacy when compared to cows. These animals also have a beneficial effect on income generation and provide social and economic security to rural communities.
Goat production has increased during the last decade and there are currently more than 1 billion goats, globally. Approximately 96% of these animals are meat goats and are found in developing countries in Asia and Africa. The African goat population has also increased over the last five years to approximately 422.7 million goats, representing 40.9% of the world’s goat population. Approximately 35 million of these goats are part of the Southern African population. Mozambique has around 3.94 million goats, ranking fifth among African countries in terms of its goat population. Of the total number of goats in Mozambique, smallholder farmers keep 97.7%, while only 2.27% are part of medium-scale systems and a negligible 0.07% is produced in intensive systems.
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![]() Congratulations to Sándor Kukovics! The book he edited, Goat Science, has proven to be extremely popular! Chapters within the book were downloaded more than 15,000 times. This widespread readership is a wonderful achievement and demonstrates the reach and usage of open access publishing through IntechOpen.
Because this book is open access, it is more visible and discoverable than literature that is locked away behind paywalls. Congratulations again to Sándor and the entire team.
As scientists, we know the dangers of infectious diseases, and the need to prevent exposure. As people, we understand the terrible isolation resulting from travel restrictions, and the fear from hearing of new cases. All of us understand that travel is the best learning experience, and makes our research and policies more robust and effective. For now, we accept the limitations on travel to and from China, but we also know that we will be able to visit with you again in the future. Please know that your IGA friends and colleagues from around the word eagerly await the end of the outbreak, and the development of new tools for prevention and treatment, both in China and the other countries where new cases are being discovered such as Italy, Korea and Iran. Now more than ever, we can see the need for global cooperation so our countries and our families can thrive. We commend the Chinese people on your patience and strength while facing this unprecedented situation. I look forward to returning to a time with safe and easy travel within and between countries. May you all enjoy good health and a quick return to a normal life, and working to advance goat health and production! As more countries become affected, we ask IGA's Board members, Country Representatives, and Regional Directors to add their own messages of support on Facebook and Twitter.
Background
In Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, business development is based on informal connections, which discourages poor people – especially women – from starting businesses. This project established sustainable women-led businesses by supporting fibre processing and creating links with international buyers. What’s Involved Women’s empowerment By providing opportunities to increase incomes through activities known as women’s work, the project challenged gender inequalities and raised women’s incomes. Public-private partnerships Linking smallholder fibre processors with international buyers has opened new markets and business opportunities for rural women. LEARN MORE... Andalucía, 1 de marzo de 2020 ![]() La Consejería de Agricultura, Ganadería, Pesca y Desarrollo Sostenible ha abierto el plazo para presentar las solicitudes de participación en la décima edición de la Escuela de Pastores de Andalucía, que en 2020 se desarrollará en el municipio de Los Blázquez (Córdoba), en la comarca del Valle del Guadiato. El Instituto de Investigación y Formación Agraria y Pesquera de Andalucía (Ifapa), dependiente de este Departamento, coordina esta actuación dirigida especialmente a las personas interesadas en incorporarse a esta actividad económica al ofrecer formación especializada sobre ganadería extensiva y pastoral. Los interesados en formarse como pastores pueden presentar la documentación pertinente hasta el próximo 15 de marzo en cualquier Oficina Comarcal Agraria (OCA), en los centros Ifapa o a través del correo electrónico [email protected]. En la página web oficial de la Escuela de Pastores se ponen a disposición de los usuarios diversa información de utilidad y los enlaces de inscripción a esta décima edición de la actividad formativa que promueve la Junta de Andalucía (https://escueladepastoresdeandalucia.es). Como en años anteriores, esta acción contempla un curso de formación de pastores que, en esta ocasión, se desarrollará del 23 de marzo al 17 de julio de 2020 con un total de 540 horas. De esta duración, 300 horas se corresponderán con acciones teórico-prácticas, que se impartirán en el centro Ifapa ‘Camino de Purchil’ de Granada y en el municipio de Los Blázquez, y a las que se sumarán otras 240 horas exclusivamente prácticas, que transcurrirán en fincas privadas. Para la selección de estas explotaciones ganaderas, los estudiantes pueden elegir entre alrededor de 100 granjas donde la escuela de Andalucía cuenta con tutores y que están ubicadas no sólo en el territorio andaluz, sino también en las regiones vecinas de Murcia y Extremadura. LEE MAS... Un agradecimiento especial a Francisco de Asís Ruiz Morales por compartir esta información. Special thanks to Francisco de Asis Ruiz Morales for sharing in this information. ![]() Date: November 4, 2019 By: Bertha Cecilia Cardenas Sterling, Technician in administration and commercialization of perishable products, owner Interactive Farm Villa Cabras Jair Trujillo Trujillo, Business Administrator, owner Interactive Farm Villa Cabras Clara Viviana Rúa B, IGA Country Representative for Colombia Location Villa Cabras Interactive Farm is located in Chucuní, a village located 9 km from the city of Ibagué, the musical capital of Colombia, in the department of Tolima. In terms of the local climate, the summers are short and hot, the winters are short, comfortable, humid and wet, and it is cloudy throughout the year. During the course of the year, the temperature generally varies from 17 to 28 °C and rarely falls below 16 °C or rises above 31 °C. It rains throughout the year but the driest month is January, with 91 mm of rain. With an average of 233 mm, the highest monthly precipitation falls in October. ![]() Prólogo Esta interesante obra, constituye un verdadero manual para quienes se quieren adentrar en la producción de caprinos y ovinos y para quienes han iniciado esta noble y extraordinaria tarea y desean mejorar sus rebaños o profundizar en la investigación tecno-científica de la cría de estas especies menores. Los caprinos y ovinos fueron considerados “especies marginales” por multiples razones: eran las comunidades pobres y/o nómadas quienes tenían pequeños rebaños; se consideraban especies depredadoras por su diversa ingesta vegetal; su carne no es muy abundante y su sabor poco apetecible; su producción láctea no competía con la bovina y un comentario muy particular, no era una especie que brindaba “status” a los productores ganaderos. En la actualidad, producto del deterioro progresivo de los suelos; el incremento permanente de la temperatura y los elevados costos de las materias primas para la producción de alimentos, las miradas se han vuelto hacia estos animales de gran rusticidad, con poco ingesta diaria, fáciles de manejar bajo el esquema de silvo pastoreo o estabulación; con pequeños esfuerzos tecnológicos de cruces genéticos, poca infraestructura de corrales y ordeños; muestran una mayor y mejor eficiencia en el manejo cuando se le compara con la inversión y atención al ganado bovino; ocupan poco espacio; son una excelente opción para el manejo familiar por su docilidad; buen nivel de parición si se le compara con bovinos u otras especies, la leche es de excelente calidad. LEE MAS... ![]() Registration and Abstract submission are now open! Early registration is available until June 30th. Register here. To download the abstract form file, click here. Program The meeting is structured in six main presentations (45+15 minutes), oral presentations (10+5 minutes), and poster presentations during the three days. Awards will be given for the best oral and poster presentations by young scientists. Visit the meeting website for more information, including hotel recommendations https://colostrum.ulpgc.es Réunion conjointe du Réseau FAO-CIHEAM de Recherche et Développement sur les Ovins et les Caprins (sous-réseaux Nutrition et Systèmes de Production) et du sous-réseau FAO-CIHEAM de Recherche et Développement sur les Pâturages et Fourrages Méditerranéens
Efficience et résilience des ressources fourragères et de production de petits ruminants pour affronter les défis globaux dans la région méditerranéenne Ecole Nationale d’Agriculture de Meknès, Morocco, 23 - 25 October 2019 Joint Meeting of the FAO-CIHEAM Network for Research and Development in Sheep and Goats (Subnetworks on Nutrition and Production Systems) and the FAO-CIHEAM Subnetwork for the Research and Development of Mediterranean Pasture and Forage Resources
Efficiency and resilience of forage resources and small ruminant production to cope with global challenges in Mediterranean areas Ecole Nationale d’Agriculture de Meknès, Morocco, 23 - 25 October 2019 |
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