Bunyoro goat farmers improve incomes through climate-smart breeds
According to scientists, climate-smart breeds are livestock and crop varieties selectively developed to withstand extreme weather [drought, heat], resist emerging diseases, and utilize feed or water efficiently
BULIISA, May 16, 2026 – Goat farming groups in Bunyoro Subregion, especially in Buliisa district have improved their livelihoods and increased household incomes after adopting climate-smart goat farming practices and replacing traditional breeds with improved goat varieties.
Also, members of the Buseesa Livestock Farmers’ Association in Matale Sub-county, Kibaale district, and the Kirama Goat Breeders’ Association in Kigwera Sub-county have upgraded their livelihoods through rearing improved goat breeds.
Stefano Gumisiriza, a member of the Buseesa Livestock Farmers’ Association in Buliisa, said the advice they received from the Bulindi Zonal Agricultural Research and Development Institute [Bulindi ZARDI] to adopt the new breeds has paid off, despite initial scepticism among members.
“We were all worried and unsure about the goats and whether they would withstand the harsh drought conditions and shortage of pasture. But today, we are seeing the benefits of improved goats,” he said while speaking to researchers at his farm in Matale Town Council.
According to scientists, climate-smart breeds are livestock and crop varieties selectively developed to withstand extreme weather [drought, heat], resist emerging diseases, and utilize feed or water efficiently. They are crucial for maintaining food security, especially in vulnerable agricultural zones.
Grafin Musolooza of the Kirama Goat Breeders’ Association said the improved breeds have supported the growth of the association by attracting new members and transforming farmers’ livelihoods within a short period.
“These goats adapt well to different conditions, and every farmer has realised they can rear them. Most of our members are livestock farmers with limited land, but this project has helped them improve their lives,” he said.
Farmers say the animals are essential to their rural livelihoods, providing milk, meat, skins and other by-products, including manure used to improve soil fertility in their gardens.
Tomas Turyagyenda, a member of the Kirama Goat Breeders’ Association, said he has improved productivity in his coffee plantation by using goat manure collected from fellow farmers’ farms.
“I have been contributing a small amount of money to collect manure from their farms and apply it to my coffee garden. As a result, my harvest increased from seven bags of coffee to 13 bags, and I hope to improve even further,” Turyagyenda added.
The Kirama Goat Breeders’ Association in Kibaale district has 38 active members, with at least 16 members each rearing between 15 and 20 goats, while others keep between five and 10 improved goats depending on the size of their land.
Meanwhile, the Buseesa Livestock Farmers’ Association has 52 members engaged in goat rearing as a key source of livelihood.
The farmers receive advisory services and training from Bulindi Zonal Agricultural Research and Development Institute to help them maintain standards and produce high-quality, competitive goat breeds.
The success of the goat-rearing projects among the two groups has largely been attributed to advisory support and knowledge-sharing provided by Bulindi ZARDI, whose collaboration with the Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa [ASARECA] has played a central role.
Through promoting community-led selective breeding, the Community-Based Breeding Programme aims to strengthen indigenous goat genetics, improve productivity, increase household incomes and enhance resilience to climate change.
Barungi Julian, Programme Officer for Policy at ASARECA, commended the farmer groups for adopting a sustainable approach to boosting goat production.
“This technology has delivered results in more than 25 countries, improving productivity and transforming livelihoods,” she said.
The initiative is also supported by the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas [ICARDA], which is helping to accelerate efforts to address the effects of climate change on livestock farming in Africa.
https://thecooperator.news/bunyoro-tooro-cane-farmers-outraged-by-proposed-excise-duty-hike/
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