The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) has handed over a consignment of Jianzhou Big Ear goats from China to the National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO) to support research and breeding initiatives.
The goats, imported in July under the FAO-China-Uganda South-South Cooperation Project Framework, were cleared for release after successfully completing the mandatory 21-day quarantine.
Speaking at the handover ceremony on Thursday last week at the National Animal Genetic Resources Centre and Databank (NAGRC&DB) farm in Entebbe, the Minister of State for Animal Industry, Hon. Bright Rwamirama, said the goats will be used to improve local breeds through crossbreeding.
“We already have some competitive breeds, such as the Boer from South Africa. However, certain indigenous breeds like the Kigezi and Bitanga do not gain sufficient weight. With this new breed from China, we will conduct research to establish whether they are indeed ‘wonder goats.’ If proven, we shall import more and make them available to farmers,” Hon. Rwamirama said.
He recalled how Uganda received a foreign order for goats three years ago but failed to sustain supply after delivering only three consignments. The minister emphasized the need to adopt high-performing breeds to strengthen food security and expand opportunities for agro-industrialization.
“We are no longer talking about just production but productivity, because our population is growing while land remains static,” he added.
Receiving the goats on behalf of NARO, Dr. Swidiq Mugerwa, Deputy Director General in charge of Research, said the Jianzhou Big Ear goats are known for their rapid growth and high meat yield, attaining an average weight of 45kg in just 18 months.
“The purpose of introducing this breed is to enable Ugandan farmers to boost both milk and meat production, thereby increasing household incomes and improving livelihoods,” Dr. Mugerwa explained.
He noted that Uganda’s goat population is dominated by three indigenous breeds; Mubende, Small East African, and Kigezi goats. The Mubende can reach about 35kg in two years, while the Small East African averages 25kg in the same period. In comparison, the Jianzhou Big Ear goat reaches 45kg in just one and a half years, making it superior in growth performance.
Mr. Julius Twinamasiko, National Coordinator of the South-South Cooperation Project, said NARO will oversee research and breeding, while NAGRC&DB will lead multiplication. He praised FAO for facilitating the procurement and acknowledged the Chinese government’s support, calling for the project’s extension to consolidate the progress achieved since its inception in 2012.
So far, under the project, China has dispatched 64 experts and technical officers to Uganda in areas such as crop production, livestock, aquaculture, and value addition.
FAO’s South-South Cooperation Project focal point, Mr. Martin Ameu, added that the Chinese goats are well-suited to Ugandan conditions and are expected to significantly enhance the productivity of local breeds.
