ASARECA, in collaboration with its partners, has provided essential equipment to the two participating farmer associations and BuZARDI to support the programme’s effective rollout. The equipment package includes 10 high-quality breeding bucks sourced from BuZARDI, three data collection tablets, five digital weighing scales, five ear-tag applicators, and 12,000 ear tags for animal identification and performance monitoring. These tools are helping farmers to collect and manage data effectively, make informed breeding decisions, and track improvements in productivity over time.
Leaders welcome the initiative Dr. Moses Mwesigwa, the Director of BuZARDI, commended the initiative as a catalyst for rural transformation. “I appreciate ASARECA for initiating this goat breeding programme. A goat, often referred to as a poor man’s cow, can enable a farmer to start meeting many of their household needs,” he stated. Dr. Mwesigwa advised farmers to take a holistic approach to goat rearing, emphasising not just the significance of better genetics but also the vital roles of animal welfare, nutrition, and access to profitable markets. Mr. Tumusiime Taddeo, Buliisa District Planner representing the Chief Administrative Officer, also praised the initiative, noting that it aligns with national development priorities. “Increasing household income is one of the main goals of Uganda’s National Development Plan IV, and this project directly contributes to achieving that goal,” he said. Mr. Tumusiime promised district-level support to facilitate the successful implementation and long-term sustainability of the programme.