Socio economic factors influencing goat production and consumption of goat meat by the rural population in selected districts in the cattle corridor of Uganda

Abstract

A cross-sectional study was set out between July and November 2009 to identify and document the distribution of existing resources supporting goat production, to analyze and determine their trend, establish challenges and coping strategies, determine the contribution of goat production to household welfare and determine factors influencing goat meat consumption. Nine focus group discussions (FGD’s), Ninety household interviews and two feedback workshops were conducted The major resources supporting goat production like land, water, institutional support, markets and goat feeds were available the challenge though is their uneven distribution spatially and temporally. Access to water and land in terms of acreage were on a decreasing trend and negatively influencing goat production. While market (demand and price) and goat population were on an increasing trend. The major constraints to goat production were goat diseases and limited access to water among others. It was also noted that farmers had devised coping mechanisms to some of the challenges like formation of water management committees to purchase water during the dry season. Goats still played a significant role in contributing to household welfare in the area and were the second species of economic importance to the households. The study revealed that Goat meat was less consumed in the household and beef was the common type of meat consumed. Factors like price and availability played a big role in the household’s choice of food. In conclusion goat diseases and access to water were negatively influencing the goat enterprise and consumption of goat meat was still low. It therefore recommends adoption of water harvesting technologies, further research to detail the diseases causing death and sensitization to promote goat meat consumption in the area.