Summary
Goats form an essential part of pastoral and mixed farming enterprises in Tanzania and account for approximately 30 percent of red meat production. Furthermore, goats are used more efficiently than cattle with much higher annual offtakes and their meat is preferred to that of sheep. There is still plenty of scope to increase offtake however and in addition to meat, goats also provide milk, skins and manure. The goat population in Tanzania has been estimated to be 6.5 million head.
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| Primary Relevance |
Low - High |
| Feeding and Nutrition |
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| Animal Health |
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| Commodities and Markets |
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| Other Husbandry |
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| Policy Relevance |
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Information on management and disease constraints affecting goat production in Tanzania is extremely limited. Some researchers have reported significant production losses due to helminthiasis though it is likely that management and climate factors will influence the severity of this condition. No reliable data is available on other potentially important diseases of goats, such as pneumonia, infectious abortion or foot rot, or how the prevalence and economic importance of these conditions may vary according to husbandry. Such information would help Tanzanian farmers and smallholders to avoid losses due to disease and make maximum and sustainable use of local natural resources.
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