TRELAWNY IS about to introduce a goat production programme, but on a revolving basis where farmers will have to share the animals.
The project which kicks off in Dutch Hill on September 28, is expected to cost $140,000 and is part of a national initiative to increase the goat population and quality of goat stock in the island.
Acting parish manager of the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) for Trelawny, Donald Robinson, said that each of 20 farmers would receive a graded Nubian or first class native ewe, and one farmer would get a Nubian buck to facilitate cross-breeding.
"The scheme will be established on a revolving basis. The first ewe from the one each farmer gets will be redeemed and distributed to other farmers," said Mr. Robinson.
RADA will be staging a number of training days with farmers on goat rearing techniques and the potential economic benefits.
"The main aim is to teach the farmers so they will realise they can make a livelihood from goat production. The majority of farmers now do it as a hobby, rather than a business," he said.
Mr. Robinson said there were an estimated 5,000 native goats in the area, and the objective was to increase this number by at least 50 per cent within five years.
Highlighting the benefits to be derived from cross-breeding the native goat with the imported buck, Mr. Robinson said that the offsprings would have "better weaning weight, feed consumption, and carcass quality."
Funding for the project, which is being launched as part of activities to mark RADA's 10th anniversary, is provided by Member of Parlia-ment for South Trelawny, Doreen Chen.
The Government recently allocated $8 million to support goat-rearing projects across the island, through the importation of Boer and Angelo-Nubian stock, as local farmers are able to supply only 14 per cent of the current national demand for goat flesh.
At the launch, RADA will mount a display on the varied uses of goat meat outside of the traditional curried format. In addition, farmers in the area who are traditional yam growers will benefit from a paper to be presented on nematode and weevil control in yams.
