How to Start Goat Farming with Low Capital

Simlpe goat housing

I always love to share information about farming/agriculture. I believe that if we share what we know or have experienced in farming, we shall have many successful farmers.

In this case we shall take K500 as our capital for starting a goat farm enterprise:

1. Buy two she goats/does at K250 or more, costs less than this.

2. With patience make a goal of making it after 5 years of investment, you will reap the benefits. In farming, there is nothing like planting seed today and tomorrow have the fruits, unless it's a miracle but rarely seen.

3. Make sure your goats have access to clean fodder and water always.

4. Provide good shelter, herdsmen (check their behaviour daily, check their poop daily, check for the sick and injured goats then report to vets) and good animal husbandry practices, avoid mating related goats as this can affect their performance.

5. Know that a goat starts breeding at 6 months; 5 months pregnancy period; after 21 days it comes back on heat after kidding (giving birth); after 2.5 months weaning; 6 years of breeding or 12 kids in a lifetime.

6. It gives birth twice a year, sometimes 2 kids per year or 4 kids in a year commonly seen in Africa. With a chance of 50% male to female kid ratio.

7. If you start with 2 does in the first year you will not have the same number of goats. You will have increases every after 6 months, sale males or exchange with females to increase the number of breeding does (she goats).

8. Have patience, courage and determination that it's possible for you to make it, start small with a big dream, a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Goat farming is a good investment; you can start with little capital (money and other factors of production) with big R.O.I (return on investment).

I shall continue sharing more with you interested farmers.

by Joshua Mweetwa Mweeka

Comments

Growing Cabbage in Zimbabwe and Zambia

Growing cabbage in Zimbabwe and Zambia requires careful consideration of the climate and soil conditions, as well as proper planting and care techniques. This article provides a comprehensive guide on how to successfully grow cabbage in these regions. From the ideal temperature and soil pH requirements to pest and disease management, as well as harvesting and storage techniques, you will find all the information you need to cultivate healthy and abundant cabbage crops. Read on to discover the key takeaways from each section. Key Takeaways Understanding the ideal temperature and soil pH requirements is crucial for successful cabbage cultivation. Proper watering and irrigation techniques are essential for maintaining healthy cabbage plants. Choosing the right cabbage varieties for the specific region can significantly impact crop yield. Careful soil preparation, seed sowing, and transplanting techniques are important for successful cabbage planting. Effective pest and disease management ...

Staking and Pruning Tomatoes in the Home Garden

Staking and pruning tomatoes are essential practices for maintaining healthy tomato plants in the home garden. By selecting the right tomato varieties, preparing the garden properly, and employing the correct staking and pruning techniques, gardeners can ensure a bountiful harvest of delicious tomatoes. This article will provide key insights into staking and pruning tomatoes to help you achieve successful growth in your garden. Key Takeaways Select disease-resistant tomato varieties to prevent common plant diseases. Amend the soil with organic matter for optimal tomato growth and fruit production. Properly stake tomato plants to support their growth and prevent damage from heavy fruit loads. Regularly prune tomato plants to remove suckers and maintain airflow, which can improve fruit quality. Avoid over-pruning tomato plants as it can reduce yield and stress the plants. Selecting the Right Tomato Varieties Determining Your Growing Conditions ...

Chinese Cabbage Production

General Requirements Chinese does well in warm seasons of the year. Optimum temperatures for growing are 20ºC to 25ºC, with minimum temperatures of 18ºC and maximum 30ºC. A well-managed chinese crop should yield 5 tons per Lima with a leaf cutting period of 40 to 50 days. First leaves can be harvested 21 days after transplanting. Land Preparation/Soil Type Deep well-drained loamy soils with a pH range from 5.5 to 6.5 is ideal for Chinese cabbage. Effective rooting depth is 60cm. Plough and disc to a 60cm fine tilth seedbed. Avoid planting Chinese cabbage on land previously planted to other brassicas for at least one season. Planting and Transplanting Sow directly by drilling in the farrows 1 to 2cm deep or raise seedlings in nursery beds and transplant 4 to 5 weeks later. Transplant during the cool part of the day (early morning or late afternoon) to avoid wilting of the plants. Space the plants at 20cm between plants and 60cm between rows to give a plant population...

Zambia Agribusiness Society

Search This Blog