A Review of the Current Status of Goat Research and Development in South Africa

Large areas of South Africa are only suitable for animal production off natural veld, and it is in these ecosystems that the goat has the biggest potential. Developing this potential, however, will require a co-ordinated and multi-functional approach where subject matter specialists work together as a team. Past research and development initiatives in South Africa have concentrated largely on the improved Boer goat and the South African Angora. These are examples of highly successful research and development ventures where partnerships between stock owners, breeders, State institutions, Breed Societies and the product industry led to the development of breeds that are in demand both locally and internationally. The Boer goat was developed by selecting and improving indigenous goats, and the South Africa Angora was the result of crossbreeding and selection using imported stock and locally selected goats. The work done at Grootfontein Agricultural Development Centre, and the ongoing Angora research and development programme are examples of effective service delivery to the mohair industry. This paper reviews the role of Breed Societies, clubs and interest groups, State and Parastatal research and development centres and Universities as key stakeholders, and discusses some successful and less successful technology transfer and development initiatives. Past failures have often been due to insufficient information on production environ ments and markets, and insufficient consultation with local communities and farmers. Such initiatives must be “needs-driven”. Feedback from two recent workshops, one on the commercialization of indigenous goats and products, and the other on research and training strategies, shows that there is sufficient capacity to serve the industry. More attention, however, needs to be given to promoting the use of goat meat, milk and milk products, selection and breeding for cashmere, and the curing and processing of skins as value-added products. The work done by the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) Animal Nutrition and Products Institute, and the development of a hardy milk goat and production system at the Medical University of Southern Africa (Medunsa) illustrate the value of an integrated systems research and development approach. An urgent reassessment is needed of the current capacity of Provincial Agricultural Development Centres for service delivery, and for more partnerships between State, Parastatal and private sector organizations to ensure integrated service delivery to the goat industry