Training Manual for Small Holder Goat Farmers for Urban Markets

Animal protein security has been a major problem within the African sub-region and the South-south geo-political zones characterized by high rainfall and humidity in Nigeria. There has been a flourishing trade in the demand for goats especially the West African Dwarf (WAD) breeds in this area, due to their socio-economic importance and the ready acceptability of their meat. There is the need for crop-livestock farmers in the urban and peri-urban areas of this region to gain adequate knowledge and skills on the production of these animals to boost animal protein supplies. Hence, this text is a training manual written for beginners interested in household goat production as well as for those intending to raise goats in large scale for both local and international markets. The units in the text have been written in a very simple language for a better understanding of the rudiments and management principles involved in establishing a goat farm as a profitable business enterprise for improved livelihoods of farmers.