The Programme

Buck Stations

• Buck stations are essential to our breeding programme, because they are a very cost-effective strategy for introducing dairy goats. more...

• They are where record-keeping begins. more...

• Buck stations are the contact point between farmers and the programme. more...

• Bucks are rotated according to a long-term breeding plan. more...

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Training on Record Keeping

Probably the biggest challenge that this programme faces is the issue of record keeping. Records are not kept at all by keepers of local livestock. Some of the older people have very poor literacy skills, and many others have hardly practiced what they learnt at school.

Consequently a major part of the training and support is concerned with record keeping - records of matings, and even more importantly records of births and ancestry.

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Community buck keeper in Bundibugyo District

Learning to keep goat breeding records in rural Uganda

Training a farmers group in Masaka District

Training farmers in Masaka District about managing dairy goats

Training on Goat Care

Most Ugandans have a basic working knowledge of goats and how to care for them. However, this can lead to overconfidence with the improved breeds, so training is needed in specific areas.

• Any goat which is growing faster or producing more milk than local goats will need more and better feed. more...

• Because of the danger of disease, the high-grade males need to be housed instead of grazing freely. This is not critical for the cross-bred offspring, but is still helpful. more...

Breeders’ Groups

• Male goats are distributed for breeding with local goats. more...
Many of these have been sponsored by groups and individuals. more...

• Training is provided on goat care. more...

• The bucks are moved between villages to avoid in-breeding. more...

• Training is provided on record keeping more...

• Breeders’ groups are formed for long-term breeding plan. more...

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