297
mating for different reasons (Kifaro et al. 2007). However, it is of great importance
to bring in new genes as shown in the example of NL breeding in Norway (Ådnøy
2014). There is greater potential of planning sustainable breeding in the local dairy
goat farming communities of Tanzania and Malawi, and the populations of these
animals are considered sufficient for conducting selection and achieve recommended genetic gains (Nziku et al. 2017c). Higher genetic gain and scheme sustainability can be expected if farmers and their organizations are able to play major
roles in the scheme implementation while working closely with research and academic institutions. Although it may be hard to pick all lessons from developed countries such as Norway, Tanzania and Malawi can keenly supervise the accuracy of
records and invest in either AI or a stricter buck circle program to improve the
genetic potential and overall productivity of the goats. Moreover, farmers in these
countries will need continued support for some years, accompanied by formation of
stronger farmers’ organizations. In Tanzania, organizations such as Twawose as
well as the NL and Toggenburg Breeders Associations (NOBRA and TOBRA) need
to be strengthened.
5 Conclusions
Farmers and other key beneficiaries along the dairy goats’ market chain in Tanzania
and Malawi could benefit more if they are capacitated through sustainable collaborative research and development with different developmental partners. This will
enable them to participate to their best level to work along with the proposed breeding strategies. Faster genetic progress for dairy goats in Tanzania and Malawi can be
taped from any best running breeding program while continuing to develop own
capacity to run animal breeding programs. We note also that capacity building for
important people such as the extension officers is needed, and they should be
equipped with the important and basic techniques for dairy goat breeding such as
goat AI technologies and recording techniques, if sustainable and improved results
are to be obtained. We emphasize the importance of records, without which successful dairy goat breeding programs cannot be achieved. Technical assistance from the
governments of these countries or research institutions is still needed as farmers still
lack the important techniques for dairy goats breeding.
Acknowledgments The Royal Government of Norway through NORAD supports various
research and development (R&D) projects for Norwegian dairy goats in Tanzania and Malawi
from which information to write this paper was drawn. Until recently, NORAD was supporting the
Programme for Enhancing Pro-poor Innovations in Agricultural Value chains (EPINAV), including
the project for upscaling dairy goats’ technologies at Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA). In
Malawi, NORAD is supporting the Program for Capacity Building for Managing Climate Change
in Malawi (CABMACC) at The Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources
(LUANAR). The SUA and LUANAR collaborate with the Norwegian University of Life Sciences
(NMBU) in implementing the programs.
The Need for Farmer Support and Record Keeping to Enhance Sustainable Dairy Goat…
mating for different reasons (Kifaro et al. 2007). However, it is of great importance
to bring in new genes as shown in the example of NL breeding in Norway (Ådnøy
2014). There is greater potential of planning sustainable breeding in the local dairy
goat farming communities of Tanzania and Malawi, and the populations of these
animals are considered sufficient for conducting selection and achieve recommended genetic gains (Nziku et al. 2017c). Higher genetic gain and scheme sustainability can be expected if farmers and their organizations are able to play major
roles in the scheme implementation while working closely with research and academic institutions. Although it may be hard to pick all lessons from developed countries such as Norway, Tanzania and Malawi can keenly supervise the accuracy of
records and invest in either AI or a stricter buck circle program to improve the
genetic potential and overall productivity of the goats. Moreover, farmers in these
countries will need continued support for some years, accompanied by formation of
stronger farmers’ organizations. In Tanzania, organizations such as Twawose as
well as the NL and Toggenburg Breeders Associations (NOBRA and TOBRA) need
to be strengthened.
5 Conclusions
Farmers and other key beneficiaries along the dairy goats’ market chain in Tanzania
and Malawi could benefit more if they are capacitated through sustainable collaborative research and development with different developmental partners. This will
enable them to participate to their best level to work along with the proposed breeding strategies. Faster genetic progress for dairy goats in Tanzania and Malawi can be
taped from any best running breeding program while continuing to develop own
capacity to run animal breeding programs. We note also that capacity building for
important people such as the extension officers is needed, and they should be
equipped with the important and basic techniques for dairy goat breeding such as
goat AI technologies and recording techniques, if sustainable and improved results
are to be obtained. We emphasize the importance of records, without which successful dairy goat breeding programs cannot be achieved. Technical assistance from the
governments of these countries or research institutions is still needed as farmers still
lack the important techniques for dairy goats breeding.
Acknowledgments The Royal Government of Norway through NORAD supports various
research and development (R&D) projects for Norwegian dairy goats in Tanzania and Malawi
from which information to write this paper was drawn. Until recently, NORAD was supporting the
Programme for Enhancing Pro-poor Innovations in Agricultural Value chains (EPINAV), including
the project for upscaling dairy goats’ technologies at Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA). In
Malawi, NORAD is supporting the Program for Capacity Building for Managing Climate Change
in Malawi (CABMACC) at The Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources
(LUANAR). The SUA and LUANAR collaborate with the Norwegian University of Life Sciences
(NMBU) in implementing the programs.
The Need for Farmer Support and Record Keeping to Enhance Sustainable Dairy Goat…