How to Start Goat Farming In Nigeria
How to Start Goat Farming
Starting a goat farming venture begins with deciding your area of interest.
We suggest focusing on goat meat production, including live goats.
This niche has potential for profitability and growth in demand.
Next, treat your goat farming as a business from the outset. Choose a name, such as “Brazil Goat Company Ltd.” After securing sufficient funds, you may register the business officially, but be sure to maintain record books from the beginning. It’s essential to view it as a full-fledged business entity, even if you’re starting part-time.
You can choose to engage in goat farming full-time or part-time, but it’s vital to schedule regular time to check on the goats daily. At first, avoid delegating responsibilities; begin by managing everything yourself. This will give you a solid foundation before considering hiring attendants to assist you.
Starting small is key to gaining experience. Aim for at least a few months of hands-on involvement, beginning with 10 goats of mixed breeds. Don’t stress too much about specific breeds at this stage. If you start with 50 goats without prior experience, you may face higher risks of failure or discouragement, especially if you haven’t hired experienced help, which could significantly increase your budget.
Securing a suitable space for your goats is crucial. There is a common belief that goats can only be economically maintained under semi-intensive and extensive systems with ample grazing. However, this is not entirely accurate.
Goats can and have been successfully raised under intensive management systems, both in Africa and beyond. In fact, most commercial goat farms in Asia utilize extensive systems. Therefore, lack of access to grazing resources and large tracts of land should not deter aspiring commercial goat farmers.
The pressing question becomes: how do you handle the feeding of goats without access to vast expanses of grass? Consider the following options:
Hydroponic fodder growing
Establishing fodder beds around your home
Understanding goat feeding to effectively use alternative supplementary feed
By implementing these strategies, you can create a sustainable and successful goat farming operation.