Moffat Mungazi
Lovemore Kadzura
Post Reporter
MANY farmers in Manicaland Province are switching from ordinary goat breeds to Boer breeds, which offer a viable and high-income business opportunity.
Those who have taken up the initiative are recording significant profits.
Although Boer goat farming can be a risky venture, especially for beginners, it has high returns, as evidenced by Headlands farmer, Mr Raymond Sakutukwa, one of the leading breeders in the province.
From humble beginnings, with just one buck and three does, Mr Sakutukwa has become an established supplier of this special breed.
Pure breeds are currently being sold for at least US$350, depending on the age.
Boer goats also excel in terms of weight after slaughter, with some weighing over 100kg.
Mr Sakutukwa urged potential farmers not to hesitate to venture into Boer goat rearing, provided they have adequate information and resources on how to properly rear them. He cautioned that lack of knowledge can lead to significant losses, as Boer goats are susceptible to diseases.
“We began rearing Boer goats in 2021, starting with one buck and three does imported from Namibia. The buck alone cost us US$600. One of the advantages of Boer goats is their reproductive capacity.
“A doe can give birth to one kid in its first litter, and if well cared for, can produce twins in subsequent births. To achieve this, the doe must be on a zero-grazing regime, allowing it to produce twice a year. Currently, we have 41 pure Boer breeds, in addition to those we sell to other farmers and consumers.
“However, we lost several goats in our early years due to amateurish mistakes. Boer goats are susceptible to diseases and require special attention. The care and management of Boer goats differ significantly from those of local breeds like Mashona and Matebele.
“There is a thriving market for Boer goats in Zimbabwe, as they are profitable for both commercial breeding and meat production. In fact, we struggle to meet the demand for bucks from fellow farmers. The price range for Boer bucks is around US$350 for those between six to 10-months-old, and up to US$450 for those over a year old. I advise potential farmers to consult experts when purchasing Boer bucks, as distinguishing between pure breeds and crossbreeds can be challenging,” said Mr Sakutukwa.
He said cross breeding Boer goats with Mashona breeds also yields excellent results.“After the fifth generation, you will have a pure breed. Additionally, Boer goats offer superior meat quality, weighing up to 100kg after slaughter, compared to Mashona breeds, which typically weigh just under 20kg,” he said.
The chairman of the Headlands Goat Breeders Association, Mr Dickson Wecha, also encouraged small-scale farmers to consider venturing into Matebele goat breeding, citing its good returns and relatively simpler management compared to Boer breeds.
Mr Wecha also highlighted concerns about the Mashona breed, which he said have been compromised by inbreeding.
To address this, he urged farmers to adopt cross-breeding practices to improve the breed’s genetics.
“Last year was a challenging season due to the El Niño-induced drought, which forced us to reduce our goat stock from 200 to 60. Our farm has a diverse range of breeds, including Boer, Kalahari Red, Angora, Matebele and Mashona. We focus on cross-breeding Boer and Kalahari Red to improve disease management and breed enhancement for our Mashona goats, which have been severely impacted by inbreeding.
“Currently, we have 10 Boer goats for breeding purposes. However, Boer goats require significant supplementary feeds and vaccinations, making them challenging for small-scale farmers to rear. They demand close monitoring and are quite complicated to manage, similar to chicken broilers. For small-scale farmers, the Matebele goat is the most profitable option, offering quick returns.
“It boasts a high growth rate and can adapt to various climatic conditions. While Boer goats produce more meat than other breeds, the Matebele goat’s advantages make it an attractive choice. We sell our Boer weaners between five and six months old for around US$80. Our Boer breeding bulls, aged between nine and 12 months, cost US$250, while those over two years old are priced at US$350,” said Mr Wecha.
