Factors affecting sustainability of goat productivity interventions in Uganda: a case study of Iganga District

Abstract

Goats contribute greatly to the livelihoods of the rural communities by providing food and income security. As a result several organisations have come up to improve the production and productivity of goats by introduction of goat interventions to enable farmers exploit their full potential. This study assessed the factors affecting sustainability of goat productivity interventions in Bulongo and Nakalama sub-counties, Iganga District, Uganda. One hundred farmers (50 in Nakalama sub-county and 50 in Bulongo sub-county) were interviewed and information obtained. In addition, two Focus Group Discussions were conducted. The households’ demographic data, socio-economic profile, livestock keeping profile, goat management, gender dimensions and sustainability issues were specifically examined. Goat productivity interventions were found to achieve their intended goal of improving the nutrition and income of the rural communities and sustainability of these interventions were paramount. However, it was observed that farmers have not fully sustained the goat productivity intervention as intended. Sustainability failure were due to labor intensive technologies, lack of follow up training and support, price disincentives and lack of equitable participation of men and women in goat interventions. In order to achieve sustainability of goat productivity interventions, there is need to transform from subsistence to commercial production, improve on market access, demand for products, gender equity, provide options for labor intensive practices.