Goats Unlimited is a dynamic advisory, development and managing company specialising in various agribusiness sectors as a facilitator and implementer. Our aim is to change and uplift the standard of living in rural areas through the promotion of environmental and social sustainable goat farming and agribusiness.
The 2nd Goat Agribusiness Conference was held at the Botanic Gardens in Durban on 19 October 2017. The theme of this conference was “Imbuzi: the real deal”. At the conference the following benefits of commercial farming were highlighted:
- Commercial goat farming is a great and guaranteed profitable business idea.
- Capital required for this business is comparatively less than other business opportunities. With proper care and management you can grow your business to the next level within one to two years.
- Goats require housing/sheltering facilities that cost less than other livestock animals and maintenance costs are low.
- Goat farming is a great idea for unemployed educated youth, women, ex-serviceman, businessman and professionals
- Women can also perform this business by setting up small scale commercial farms. This will help them provide economic support for their families.
Prominent speakers from the goat farming industry were invited to share their expert knowledge with over 200 prospective and current goat farmers and agribusiness practitioners.
The guest speaker was Dr Vuyokazi Mahlati, the President of AFASA.
Topics to be discussed at the conference included the following:
- Breeding goats for profitability – Mr Roy Caldecott
- The goat industry in Namibia – Dr Fanuel Demas
- Communal vs commercial goat farming – Ms Rechi Dlamini
- Youth and women in goat farming – Ms Thato Moagi
- Goat value chain: an empowerment tool to rural communities – Mr Andrew Robertshaw
- Stock theft: a threat to goat farming – Patricia Mbele
- Goat farming: a drought mitigator – Mr John Khoza
- Financing agribusiness – Mr Simphiwe Mazinyo
The deliberations at the conference laid bare the fact that goat farming is a low hanging fruit that needs to be taken seriously by both government and the private sector. This sector has the potential to change the lives of ordinary people for the better. However, training is essential for people to get a better understanding of this industry.
