Abstract

Small East African (SEA) goats form the largest part of the small ruminant population in Tanzania. In the view of increasing productivity of goats and improving welfare of goat keepers in the country, a participatory study was carried out to examine SEA goat keeping in two districts of Central Tanzania. The results obtained show that productivity was constrained by seasonal fluctuations of feed supplies, prevalence of diseases such as contagious caprine pleuropneumonia (CCPP), lumpy skin disease and foot-rot, and various ecto- and endo-parasites. Investment and farm income was constrained by fluctuating prices [TSh. 20,000.00 to 68,000.00 (US$ 13 to 45) per goat]. These problems prevailed because of inadequate farmers’ knowledge on improved feeding, nutritional and disease-control strategies, lack of market information and lack of power to negotiate price returns. The contribution of SEA goats to the socio-economic well-being of smallholders would be improved by strengthening local farmers’ groups to facilitate the delivery of appropriate techniques of feeding, breeding and disease control.

Key words: Tanzania, goat, participatory, marketing, farmers’ groups.