Uganda’s livestock sub-sector has taken a significant step toward modernisation and commercialisation with the official reception of the Jianzhou big-ear goats from China, which were unveiled by Hon. Bright Rwamirama, the State Minister for Animal Industry, at the National Animal Genetic Resources Center and Data Bank (NAGRC&DB), in Entebbe, on Thursday.
Imported under the tripartite United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO)-China-Uganda South-South Cooperation Project, this initiative is set to transform the lives of goat farmers by boosting productivity, improving the quality of meat, and satisfying the nation’s growing demand for goat meat.
Minister Rwamirama lauded the support from the People’s Republic of China as a contribution to Uganda’s efforts towards achieving the critical mass needed to satisfy the growing demand for goat meat from Uganda.
He said that following the reception of the high-breed goats, “the research arm of the Ministry will carry out both breeding and cross-breeding with the aim of distributing the goats to beneficiaries of the FAO-China-Uganda South-South Cooperation Project (Phase 3).”
Breakthrough in Genetic Improvement
The arrival of the Jianzhou big-ear goats is a major genetic enhancement for Uganda’s livestock.
This breed, which is a crossbreed between the British Nubian goat and the Jianyang local goat, is known for its high growth rate and superior meat quality.
This marks the first time these particular goats have been exported outside of China, underscoring the strategic nature of this cooperation.
The nine imported goats completed a 21-day quarantine at the National Animal Genetic Resources Center and DataBank (NAGRC&DB) and will be transferred to the Mbarara Zonal Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MBAZARDI) for a critical breeding phase.
Driving Economic Transformation for Farmers
The primary goal of this technology transfer is to unlock economic potential for Ugandan goat farmers. After pure breeding and cross-breeding the goats in Uganda, the resultant high-yield offspring will be distributed to beneficiaries of Phase 3 of the FAO-China-Uganda South-South Cooperation Project.
By providing farmers with genetically superior stock, the initiative aims to:
Increase Incomes: Faster growth rates mean quicker turnover and higher profits for farmers.
Improve Quality: Better genetic traits enhance the quality of the goat meat, making it more competitive locally and internationally.
Satisfy Market Demand: Help Ugandan farmers meet the increasing local and regional demand, positioning the country as a significant supplier.
According to Mr. Julius Twinamasiko, the South-South Cooperation Project Coordinator, this collaboration is already delivering significant benefits through technology transfer and productivity enhancement across aquaculture, crops, and livestock, paving the way for a more productive and prosperous agricultural sector.