GENERAL INTRODUCTION
1.1. Background information to the study
Worldwide, goats and other small ruminants are among the most popular and beneficial livestock for those people with very limited resources (ILRI, 2013). In Tanzania, goats rank second after cattle in terms of contribution to income and human nutrition, particularly animal protein (ILRI, 2013). Statistics show that the population of goats was 15,154,121, the local goats being the predominant population (MLFD, 2011). The highest goat population was found in Shinyanga, Arusha, Manyara and Tabora regions. The dairy goats population is estimated to be 126 000 which is less that 1% of the goat population (Kilongozi et al. 2006). However, their role in providing the highly …show more content…
Dairy goat production, especially pasture-based production, offers the opportunity for profitable and sustainable diversity on a small farm. In addition, dairy goats contribute to income generation through the sales of milk, milk products, live animals and manure (Macha and Mbaga, 2009; FAOSTAT, 2010). Additionally, introduction of dairy goats provide employment within the community and enhancing market access by the poor rural farmers (Safari et al., 2008). Furthermore, dairy goats farming in the country has provided an alternative source of milk to households that cannot afford to keep dairy cattle. Goat milk has become popular in the nutrition of resource poor farmers in rural …show more content…
Significance of the study
The results of the current study could assist smallholder farmers and other stakeholders to understand the best genotype for keeping in a certain environment. Clarification of the performance and benefits of dairy goats to households will stimulate other farmers to join the dairy goat keeping.
1.4. Objectives
1.4.1. General objectives
The general objective of this study was to assess the performance and benefits of dairy goats in Arusha city council. and the factors influencing performance of dairy goats in terms of milk production in Arusha City. .
1.4.2 Specific objectives
1. To identify types of dairy goat breeds kept by smallholder farmers in Arusha city council. determine the lactation performance of dairy goats
2. To compare the reproductive and lactation performances of dairy goats breeds kept by small scale farmers in Arusha city council.
3. To determine factors influencing performance of dairy goats in terms of milk production
4. To assess the benefit/contribution of dairy goat farming to household income of smallholder farmers.
1.2 Hypothesis
1. There are no dairy goat breeds kept by smallholder farmers in Arusha city council.
2. Lactation and reproduction performances of goat breeds in Arusha city council are not significantly