Bulindi ZARDI has initiated the establishment of a goat Multi-Stakeholder Innovation Platform (MSIP) within the Lake Albert Crescent Zone (LACZ). This initiative aims to capitalise on collaborative synergies among diverse stakeholders to promote goat innovation and address key challenges facing goat production in the region.
Goat farming holds a pivotal role in the LACZ, where an estimated 704,259 goats are currently raised, contributing significantly to Uganda’s total of 16 million goats. There has been an increasing demand for goat products driven by regional economic activities, such as oil and gas exploration.
Recognising the economic potential and strategic importance of this sector, Bulindi ZARDI has made remarkable strides to enhance goat productivity through innovative approaches.
Key accomplishments include;
- the development of improved housing designs,
- multiplication of enhanced pastures,
- breed improvement,
- establishment of on-farm demonstrations, and
- development of comprehensive health programmes for goat flocks.
The creation of a MSIP for goats has gained momentum with recent stakeholder engagement sessions held in Kibaale district on June 12, 2024. Spearheaded by Bulindi ZARDI’s Outreach Officer, Ms. Pauline Birungi, the meeting drew participation from a wide spectrum of stakeholders including producers, extension officers, traders, transporters, researchers, agro-input dealers, and policy-makers.
The gathering served as a platform to delve into the dynamics of goat production and marketing, facilitating discussions aimed at optimising efficiency and fostering sustainable growth within the sector.