The aim of the Milk-Goat Breeding Programme is to improve the local breed of goats, which are often small and produce little milk.
The programme was instigated and supported by professional Veterinarians Damien Nicolay and Andrew Bartholomew.
By artificially inseminating adult females with the sperm of a pedigree milk-buck, her half-bred offspring are the first step towards improving the local breed.
Further controlled insemination can either maintain this status or improve on it further, creating ¾ bred milk goats.
There is a balance to be struck, as highly bred animals require more care and better feeding which is not always possible.
The philosophy of the programme is a hand-up, not a hand-out
The programme will gradually improve the quality and yield of milk goats throughout the region
How the Milk-Goat Breeding Programme works
First, the buck had to become accustomed to sperm collection using an artificial vagina. At first the buck proved to be a bit shy and headstrong and did not perform despite the presence of an attractive female on heat. It was only after another male was brought in that competition got the better of him and he obliged.
Veterinarian Fredrick Kalyango was able to artificially inseminate a number of female goats for farmers in microcredit groups near his home. To date the buck has produced nine offspring which certainly appear to be healthy.
Fredrick will continue to work with microcredit groups further afield who are interested in the scheme. It takes several visits to a village to prepare and inseminate a group of female goats. Covid restrictions have made it difficult to hire a motorcycle to reach these villages, but it is hoped that he will soon have his own means of transport.
Goats’ milk is very healthy and digestible even by small babies, so we expect a ready market to develop. Adding the goat’s milk to the maize porridge served at schools would greatly enhance its nutritional value.
An example of the programme in action
Veterinarian Fredrick Kalyango was selected to receive special training at a goat breeding centre in Masaka, Uganda. Since then he has constructed an enclosure next to his home to house bucks and females.
Our Milk-Goat Breeding Programme meets the following UN Sustainable Development Goals:
This project has been funded by:
Private donations
