The escalating effects of climate change are wreaking havoc on food security and nutrition across Africa. Not only are these changes threatening future harvests, but they’re also eroding the progress made towards building more stable and sustainable food systems. To combat these challenges and the competition for vital resources like water and land, the Elgeyo Marakwet County government, alongside civil society organizations, has implemented crucial famine intervention projects. One such project focuses on promoting the uptake and rearing of improved dairy goats. These resilient animals are particularly suited to this approach because they require minimal space, are affordable, mature quickly, and reproduce frequently. Importantly, goats also boast a higher survival rate during droughts, making them a valuable asset in a changing climate.
Dairy goat farming holds immense potential to empower women in rural communities. By increasing women’s access to and control over goats, land, and training, we can promote gender equality within agriculture. This, coupled with training on value-adding techniques like cheesemaking, empowers women to turn their knowledge into business opportunities, boosting household income. To ensure long-term success, government support is crucial. Integrating the dairy goat value chain into the County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP) can create a sustainable funding mechanism. Additionally, introducing improved goat breeds through crossbreeding programs can significantly enhance the local livestock population, leading to increased milk production and higher profits for smallholder farmers, particularly women.
Read the full policy brief here.
