Indigenous goats are one of the most important sources of animal protein to many rural poor, but this is being threatened by the way they are managed and the way people utilize the land. Goats supply the rural people with meat, milk, manure (which can be used as fertilizers) and hides which can also be used for different purposes. Milk and meat have always been an important component in the normal balanced diet, providing energy, protein, calcium and other minerals and vitamins. As the population in South Africa continue to grow, meat and milk will become more important as a source of high quality protein to reduce malnutrition especially in children. As such milk and meat production is a vital form of primary health care in both rural and peri-urban areas. Donkin (1998) indicated that, in commercial enterprises, milk is usually from cows. However, the disadvantages with cows as a source of milk for the household and small holder farmer are that dairy cows are expensive, require large amounts of food, produce large amounts of milk (more than household needs), have a relatively long generation interval and when slaughtered have large carcases (posing problems of storage and distribution). In contrast, dairy and meat goats are less expensive, are easily handled by women and children, eat less, produce appropriate quantities of meat and milk for household consumption, reducing storage problems, have a short generation interval and produce more progeny. In spite of all these advantages, Bembridge and Tapson (1993) indicated that productivity from goats in the communal farming system, which is based on the extensive system is poor due to a low weaning rate, a high mortality rate and low turnover. Goats are often blamed for veld deterioration and damage to soil subsequent to poor animal and grazing management. Goats are hardy animals, that can survive where other animals cannot (Webb et al., 1998). One of the major problems at present however, is the availability of adequate grazing and the current land tenure systems. Goat farmers share common grazing land, which makes it very difficult to manage since the chief of the area holds the land in trust. This is one of the reasons why rural land is poorly managed. Our concern as researchers is how we can help rural people to sustain the productivity of these animals. This research is focused on the fact that" some 30% of the population of South Africa are classified as ultra-poor (i.e. those who do not obtain sufficient food) and of these, 80% are blacks living in rural areas, it is understandable that the efficiency of animal production in rural communal farming systems has been perceived by some as the most important issue for animal production research". The aim of this study was to quantify the effect of land tenure system on goat production in two rural villages, Moutse and Phooko. The analysis is based on 1998 / 1999 survey data. Surveys of landless and smallholder farmers were conducted in the KwaNdebele district of Mpumalanga in 1998 and 1999. In total 26 farmers were interviewed. The interview was through a questionnaire which was distributed to participating farmers with the help of an extension officer from the villages. The effect of land tenure on goat production was analysed by determining the productive efficiency of livestock in the villages, and the contribution of livestock to the livelihood of the local people. Finally farmers were classified according to categorical characteristics such as type of animal farmed with, those practicing minor management versus those who do not, and the type of farming system practiced e.g. animal or mixed farming. The results show that all the categories mentioned i.e. type of management, type of farming and land tenure system influence animal performance to some extent. It is concluded from the results that to successful farmers, land tenure seems to be a major limiting factor. The characterization of farmers that are economically successful in terms of goat I animal husbandry shows that they have little or no land and no regular substantial off farm income. Therefore, they rely mainly on goat I animal husbandry to provide a constant income, which emphasize the importance of livestock in rural farming systems. Although goats are less popular compared to cattle (often used for lobola), they form an important part of most rural farming systems, particularly in providing meat and milk for rural people. The results of the survey show that from the 26 farmers interviewed, 13 are farming with goats and cattle, and the remaining 13 with a combination of goats, cattle, sheep and sometimes pigs. KwaNdebele, like other former homelands has an agricultural potential which is largely underestimated because of lack of skills and training, absence of ownership, overstocking and lack of veld management. From the result, it is concluded that it is difficult to enforce proper management and conservation measures under communal land. Although the results suggests only a slight effect on land tenure on animal performance, land tenure does have an effect on the implementation of conservation measures. In economic terms, the cultivator I farmer is said to lack incentives to carefully husband the holding he does not have property rights that internalise the costs and benefits of conserving or failing to conserve the land (Basset and Crummey, 1993). / Dissertation (M Inst Agrar ( Animal Production))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Animal and Wildlife Sciences / unrestricted

Empirical evidence has shown that goats are of significance in marginalised, poor, and rural economies and this information has been well documented in scholarly research. Despite its importance and potential contribution, goat farming remains underutilised and undeveloped in the rural economy - particularly in South Africa. Developmental intervention has focused on improving productivity with minimal effort aimed at the integration of key role players in the value chain, and even less emphasis on improving farmers' attitudes. The largest goat population in South Africa is found in the Northern Cape where there is great potential to be realised for goat farming. The main objective of this study was to identify supply side (production) factors constraining subsistence goat production in South Africa, with the view of identifying key actors to establish an innovation platform through vertical integration. By transforming the subsistence farming orientation of goat farmers into a commercial (market) orientation, the welfare of communities can be improved through the commercialisation of smallscale goat farmers. Studies highlight the need to enhance goat production beyond subsistence goat rearing and towards commercialisation through access to markets, veterinary services, credit facilities, and government support. Furthermore, a focus on market development, value chain integration and innovation platforms can improve the efficiency of the goat farming sector. This study contributes to the existing body of knowledge on goat farming in South Africa and offers an innovation platform to foster partnerships among the actors along the value chain, creating an enabling environment for the easy flow of market information and infrastructure development. A praxis model is incorporated into this research. This takes the form of a business model and is provided in Appendix B as a practical way of applying the knowledge gathered in this research.

CoordenaÃÃo de AperfeiÃoamento de Pessoal de NÃvel Superior / We aimed to evaluate the systems of production and milk quality of dairy goats in Milk Production Units (MPUs) family based in the states of Rio Grande do Norte and CearÃ, to promote the sustainable development of dairy goat in semi-arid northeastern Brazil. Information related to socio-economic profile of producers and production systems used were obtained through personal interviews using a questionnaire applied to 19 properties in Rio Grande do Norte and Cearà 10 properties. The quality of milk was determined by Total Bacterial Count (TBC) in samples collected after the morning milking for a period of three days before and three days after the adoption of good practices recommended by the project milking âKit Manual for Embrapa Milking Goats dairy â. In both states, the production systems in MPUs characterized by being so extensive and low technological application, limited water and forage resources in semi-arid. It was found that there are difficulties related to nutritional managements, reproductive health and milking procedures adopted, and the need to sensitize producers with information to promote goat rearing as well as ensure that the final product is inserted in the market with quality. In evaluating the quality of milk, the average TBC found were 5.2 x 105 UFC / mL and 4, 1 x 105 UFC / mL before and after the use of technological kit respectively, since the quality of milk produced after use kit technology within the parameters of hygiene and quality established by the legislation. It is concluded that the exploitation of dairy goats in northeastern states as a technical activity economically viable, provided that use appropriate technologies and to prioritize, especially food and health management. / Objetivou-se avaliar os sistemas de produÃÃo e a qualidade do leite de rebanhos caprinos de Unidades Produtoras de Leite (UPLs) de base familiar dos Estados do Rio Grande do Norte e do CearÃ, visando avaliar a promoÃÃo do desenvolvimento sustentÃvel da caprinocultura leiteira na regiÃo semi-Ãrida do Nordeste brasileiro. As informaÃÃes relacionadas ao perfil sÃcio-econÃmico dos produtores e aos sistemas de produÃÃo utilizados foram obtidas atravÃs de entrevistas individuais e presenciais utilizando-se questionÃrio aplicado em 19 propriedades no Rio Grande do Norte e 10 propriedades no CearÃ. A qualidade do leite foi determinada pela Contagem Total de BactÃrias (CBT) em amostras coletadas apÃs a ordenha matinal por um perÃodo de trÃs dias antes e trÃs dias depois da adoÃÃo de boas prÃticas da ordenha recomendadas pelo projeto âKit Embrapa de Ordenha Manual para Caprinos Leiteirosâ. Em ambos os Estados, os sistemas de produÃÃo nas UPLs foram caracterizados como extensivo e com baixa aplicaÃÃo de tecnologia, limitados pelos recursos forrageiros e hÃdricos do semi-Ãrido. Verificou-se que hà dificuldades relacionadas aos manejos nutricional, reprodutivo, sanitÃrio e nos procedimentos de ordenha adotados, alÃm da necessidade de sensibilizar os caprinocultores com informaÃÃes que promovam a criaÃÃo de cabras, bem como garantir que o produto final seja inserido com qualidade no mercado. Na avaliaÃÃo da qualidade do leite, as mÃdias de CTB encontradas foram de 5,2 x 105 UFC/mL e 4, 1 x 105 UFC/mL para antes e apÃs o uso do kit tecnolÃgico respectivamente, sendo possÃvel afirmar que o kit ordenha apresenta 21,15% de eficiÃncia, tornando a qualidade do leite produzido dentro dos parÃmetros de higiene e qualidade estabelecidos pela legislaÃÃo. Conclui-se que a exploraÃÃo de caprinos leiteiros nestes Estados caracteriza-se como uma atividade tÃcnica economicamente viÃvel, desde que utilizadas tecnologias adequadas e que priorizem, principalmente, o manejo alimentar e sanitÃrio.

RAMOS, Marcela Oliveira. Caracterização do perfil produtivo e contagem total de bactérias de leite de cabra em unidades de base familiar nos estados do Ceará e do Rio Grande do Norte. 2012. 89 f. : Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal do Ceará. Centro de Ciências Agrárias, Departamento de Zootecnia, Fortaleza-CE, 2012 / Submitted by Nádja Goes (nmoraissoares@gmail.com) on 2016-08-04T13:22:21Z No. of bitstreams: 1 2012_dis_moramos.pdf: 887113 bytes, checksum: 106cbab54ef97b66390f98a7327de9f9 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Nádja Goes (nmoraissoares@gmail.com) on 2016-08-04T13:22:33Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 2012_dis_moramos.pdf: 887113 bytes, checksum: 106cbab54ef97b66390f98a7327de9f9 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-04T13:22:33Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2012_dis_moramos.pdf: 887113 bytes, checksum: 106cbab54ef97b66390f98a7327de9f9 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012 / Grande do Norte and Ceará, to promote the sustainable development of dairy goat in semi-arid northeastern Brazil. Information related to socio-economic profile of producers and production systems used were obtained through personal interviews using a questionnaire applied to 19 properties in Rio Grande do Norte and Ceará 10 properties. The quality of milk was determined by Total Bacterial Count (TBC) in samples collected after the morning milking for a period of three days before and three days after the adoption of good practices recommended by the project milking “Kit Manual for Embrapa Milking Goats dairy “. In both states, the production systems in MPUs characterized by being so extensive and low technological application, limited water and forage resources in semi-arid. It was found that there are difficulties related to nutritional managements, reproductive health and milking procedures adopted, and the need to sensitize producers with information to promote goat rearing as well as ensure that the final product is inserted in the market with quality. In evaluating the quality of milk, the average TBC found were 5.2 x 105 UFC / mL and 4, 1 x 105 UFC / mL before and after the use of technological kit respectively, since the quality of milk produced after use kit technology within the parameters of hygiene and quality established by the legislation. It is concluded that the exploitation of dairy goats in northeastern states as a technical activity economically viable, provided that use appropriate technologies and to prioritize, especially food and health management. / Objetivou-se avaliar os sistemas de produção e a qualidade do leite de rebanhos caprinos de Unidades Produtoras de Leite (UPLs) de base familiar dos Estados do Rio Grande do Norte e do Ceará, visando avaliar a promoção do desenvolvimento sustentável da caprinocultura leiteira na região semi-árida do Nordeste brasileiro. As informações relacionadas ao perfil sócio-econômico dos produtores e aos sistemas de produção utilizados foram obtidas através de entrevistas individuais e presenciais utilizando-se questionário aplicado em 19 propriedades no Rio Grande do Norte e 10 propriedades no Ceará. A qualidade do leite foi determinada pela Contagem Total de Bactérias (CBT) em amostras coletadas após a ordenha matinal por um período de três dias antes e três dias depois da adoção de boas práticas da ordenha recomendadas pelo projeto “Kit Embrapa de Ordenha Manual para Caprinos Leiteiros”. Em ambos os Estados, os sistemas de produção nas UPLs foram caracterizados como extensivo e com baixa aplicação de tecnologia, limitados pelos recursos forrageiros e hídricos do semi-árido. Verificou-se que há dificuldades relacionadas aos manejos nutricional, reprodutivo, sanitário e nos procedimentos de ordenha adotados, além da necessidade de sensibilizar os caprinocultores com informações que promovam a criação de cabras, bem como garantir que o produto final seja inserido com qualidade no mercado. Na avaliação da qualidade do leite, as médias de CTB encontradas foram de 5,2 x 105 UFC/mL e 4, 1 x 105 UFC/mL para antes e após o uso do kit tecnológico respectivamente, sendo possível afirmar que o kit ordenha apresenta 21,15% de eficiência, tornando a qualidade do leite produzido dentro dos parâmetros de higiene e qualidade estabelecidos pela legislação. Conclui-se que a exploração de caprinos leiteiros nestes Estados caracteriza-se como uma atividade técnica economicamente viável, desde que utilizadas tecnologias adequadas e que priorizem, principalmente, o manejo alimentar e sanitário.

The objective of this diploma thesis is to compare the level of goat breeding production indicators, recorded in the South Bohemian Region in years 2008 - 2010. The analysis includes comparison between the individual breeders, yearly comparison and comparisons between different breeds and herd sizes. The analyzed production indicators include the amount of produced milk, percentage of fat and percentage of protein. For 2008, 12 breeders with herds ranging from 1 to 34 goats have been analyzed. In 2008, 13 Anglo Nubian goats, 57 White Shorthaired goats and 26 Brown Short Hair goats have been registered in the South Bohemian Region's stock book. For 2009, 12 breeders with herds ranging from 1 to 37 goats have been analyzed. In 2009, 14 Anglo Nubian goats, 64 White Shorthaired goats and 29 Brown Short Hair goats have been registered in the South Bohemian Region's stock book. For 2010, 15 breeders with herds ranging from 1 to 46 goats have been analyzed. In 2009, 10 Anglo Nubian goats, 73 White Shorthaired goats and 42 Brown Short Hair goats have been registered in the South Bohemian Region's stock book. According to the statistical data, the highest average volume of milk (833 litres) has been produced in 2010. The highest average volume of milk has been produced by middle-sized herds (1021 litres) and by the Brown Short Hair breed (960 litres). The highest content of fat in milk has been recorded in 2009 (4.07 %). The highest average content of fat in milk has been recorded within the Anglo Nubian breed (4.32 %). The comparison of the content of fat in milk between various herd sizes is not statistically conclusive (p > 0.05). The average highest content of protein in milk has been recorded within the Anglo Nubian breed (3.74 %). The comparison of the content of protein in milk between various years and herd sizes is not statistically conclusive (p > 0.05).