Igembe residents urged to embrace dairy goat farming

Maua, Saturday, June 17, 2023

KNA by Kamanja Maeria 

Residents of Igembe South sub-county have been asked to embrace dairy goat farming for its growing demand and its nutritive and commercial value.

Speaking to KNA, Igembe South sub-county livestock officer John Ireri explained that dairy goats were introduced in Kenya in the 1950s by white settlers who reared them as a hobby and later on in the 1970s, these goats were introduced to government agricultural institutions.

Ireri further noted that in Meru County, the practice was introduced by the Farm Africa dairy in the 1990s.

He said that organizations such as the Dairy Goats Association have assured the sustainability of goat rearing projects where they give registered groups dairy goats for commercial benefits.

He added that dairy goat farming is growing immensely, especially in areas where farm sizes are too small to support dairy cattle.

He pointed out several dairy goats which are important for both commercial and domestic purposes including Toggenburn, Saneen, Anglo Nubian and Alphines.

He maintained that Saneen are bigger than Toggenburg and they produce up to 7 litres of milk in a day and when mature, they could weigh up to 100kgs.

The livestock officer further noted that Toggenburn are brown in color with white stripes on the face, legs and tail adding that it also produces up to 5 litres of milk in a day.

Ireri revealed that dairy goat rearing comes along with many benefits since it requires less feed, space and labour compared to cattle.

''These goats eat a variety of plants and require less water hence it is cheaper to feed compared to cows,'' Ireri added.

He maintained that goat products were more expensive adding that, ''goat’s milk retails between Sh80 to Sh150 per litres compared to cow milk whose cost ranges between Sh60 to Sh80 per litre''.

On the nutritive value of goat’s milk, Ireri emphasizes that goat's milk is a good source of potassium and calcium which maintains normal blood pressure and heart function and aids the strength and density of the bones consecutively.

He also pointed out that goats milk has fewer allergic proteins which makes it easier to digest.

According to Ireri, dairy goats mature quickly when well-fed and give birth twice a year with high chances of producing twins, triplets and sometimes quadruplets.

''Dairy goats are advantageous when it comes to production and sometimes they give birth up to four kids,” the officer said.

Dairy goats have emerged to be one of the best breeds to rear when one understands their value and returns.

Compared to other milk-producing breeds, goat's milk is more nutritious and is very good for the young, the old, and the sick since it is not allergic.

Courtesy ; K. N. A