Tapping the livelihood potential of goat raising

MANILA, Philippines - Goat raising, a practical business venture requiring low initial capital, is not popular among farmers as a livelihood option due to their lack of proper skills and motivation to improve goat management.

To change farmers’ perception towards goat raising, the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) spearheaded the Farmer Livestock School on Goat Enterprise Management (FLS-GEM).

Designed by DOST-PCAARRD, the FLS-GEM is a six-month modality that teaches farmers how to integrate the science behind proper goat management and incorporate the concept of entrepreneurship into production.

The modality is currently being adopted by local government units  in eight regions around the country specifically Regions 1, 2, 3, 6, 8, 10, 12, and the Cordillera Administrative Region.

Goat raising only requires a low initial capital and can provide high return on investment in just two years. In addition, goat is a healthy food alternative as it is high in iron and protein but low in calories, total fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol.

Apart from providing livelihood opportunities to more than 300,000 families, the FLS-GEM has improved individual and social competencies of participating farmers.

The farmers who participated in the training were recognized as sources of quality goat stocks and were tapped as speakers by LGUs.