Goat farming gets boost in Central Visayas

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Agriculture has distributed at least 600 heads of dairy type goats to Central Visayas in 2009, in line with its campaign to promote goat farming across the country.

DA-7 Livestock Division Chief Joel Elumba said the goats distributed were hybrid goats of Angio Nubian and Saanen blood comprised of 25 bucks or male goats and 600 does or female goats.

In Cebu, 75 heads were distributed to beneficiaries from Bogo, Danao Argao and Mandaue while 325 heads were distributed to 10 municipalities in Bohol.

Farmers from the municipalities of Sibulan and San Jose and the cities of Dumaguete, Bais and Bayawan in Negros Oriental received 150 heads. In Siquijor, 75 heads were distributed to farmers in the towns of San Juan, Maria Enrique Villanueva and Larena.

The goat dairy project was launched last year by Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap and Governor Erico Aumentado of Bohol with the intention to infuse the local native goat stock with improved animal breeds for milking process.

The launching last year had an initial distribution of 200 heads of dairy animals.

DA foresees a good income from goat’s milk for the farmers as it may be marketed in establishments catering to tourists. The DA said goat’s milk could complement the province’s nutrition program for school children because of the vitamins it contain and its tendency to be easily digested than cow’s milk.

Goat’s milk, compared to cow’s milk, contains 13 percent more calcium, 25 percent more vitamin B-6, 47 percent more vitamin A, 134 percent more potassium, and three times more niacin.

It is also four times higher in copper and contains 27 percent more of the antioxidant selenium than cow’s milk.

In its investment briefer, the Philippine Council for Agriculture Forestry and Natural Resources Research Farming and Development said goat raising is gaining popularity among farmers here after finding out that “they require low initial capital investment, fit the small hold farm conditions, and multiply fast.”

Goat raising requires low maintenance since goats may only eat tree leaves, grasses, weeds, and agricultural by-products.

Though small, according to PCARRD, a goat can produce as much as four liters of milk a day if it is purebred and given a ration to meet all of its nutritional requirements.

DA is promoting goat raising especially to poor families in the rural areas as it requires low initial investment and small risks compared to other livestock.

The manure can also be used as good source of fertilizer and can be an alternative to commercial fertilizers. — Jessica Ann R. Pareja/JMO (THE FREEMAN)