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CASE 5: MERU GOAT BREEDERS ASSOCIATION

MERU COUNTY, KENYA

Cover Photo

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.0 Introduction ................................................................................................................... 4  

1.1  Back ground- origin and history  .....................................................................................................  4  

1.2 Context – Meru County  .................................................................................................................  4  

Box 1: Map of Kenya showing Meru County ................................................................................................ 5  

1.3 Meru Goat Breeders Association- (MGBA) structure, mission and objectives  ................................  6  

Box 2: Organization levels at MGBA ............................................................................................................. 6  

1.4. Partnership Arrangements  ............................................................................................................  6  

1.4.1 Map of actors ............................................................................................................................................. 6  

Box 3: MGBA’s vision, mission and objectives ........................................................................................... 7  

1.5. Activities of MGBA  ......................................................................................................................  7  

 

2.0 The Innovation .............................................................................................................. 8  

2.1 Technical issues around the innovation  ..........................................................................................  8  

2.1.1 MGBA breeding plan ............................................................................................................................... 8  

2.1.2 .Breeding plan for ¾ Toggernburg Dairy Goat ................................................................................... 8  

Box 4: Breeding stages ....................................................................................................................................... 8  

Box 5: Comparison of attributes ...................................................................................................................... 9  

2.2 Learning points from the experience and innovation  .....................................................................  9  

Box 6. What do we learn from this case? ....................................................................................................... 9  

2.3 The group system  ........................................................................................................................  10  

2.3.1 Advantages of being in a group ............................................................................................................ 10  

2.3.2 Gender and the role of women ............................................................................................................ 10

 

3.0 Achievements, challenges and coping strategies ......................................................... 11  

3.1 Achievements  ..............................................................................................................................  11  

3.2 Challenges  ...................................................................................................................................  12  

3.3 The future  ...................................................................................................................................  12  

 

4.0 Additional reading and references ................................................................................ 13  

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1.0 Introduction This case write up is about Case 5 in the “Learning Route : Innovat ive Livestock Market ing from Northern to Eastern Africa” and features the Meru Goat Breeders Association in Meru County, eastern Kenya.

1.1 Back ground- or ig in and his tory

The Meru Goat Breeders Association (MGBA) is a poor farmers’ empowerment project of goat breeders in eight (8) districts of the old Meru district – now Meru County, Eastern province of Kenya. MGBA was registered in the year 2003. It is currently owned by 171 groups of farmers with 4,275 goat farmers within 31 units. However, its membership is still open and is growing as many farmers adopt goat breeding. The farmers have to form groups which then register with MGBA

A legal entity, MGBA is registered first as a self help group, under the Registration of Societies Act, Laws of Kenya. It was found in 1998 with support from FARM (Food and Agricultural Research management) Africa and the Ministry of Livestock Development; as an exit strategy for the Meru Tharaka Nithi Dairy Goat and Animal Health Project that closed down in June 2004.The project had been funded by the British Government through the Department for International Development (DFID). MGBA was registered in the year 2003. It is currently owned by 171 groups of farmers with 4,275 goat farmers within 31 units. However, its membership is still open and is growing as many farmers adopt goat breeding. The farmers have to form groups which then register with MGBA.

Members pay registration fees (annual and renewal). Sales commissions are paid at 6% from members and 10% from non-members). The basic objective of MGBA is to alleviate poverty and improve the living standards of goat farmers through increased income generation and improved nutrition. In addition, MGBA is required to continue to genetically upgrade local goats with the superior Toggenburg, attain self-sustenance and strengthen its management and technical capacities so as to run its operations commercially. 1.2 Context – Meru County The Meru County is located in the eastern foothills of Mount Kenya in the country’s Eastern Province. It consists of eight districts, namely Meru South, Mara, Imenti South, Imenti North, Meru Central, Buuri, Tigania East and Tigania West. Meru County is one of the 47 counties of Kenya, and one of the two predominantly Meru (community) counties, the other being Tharaka-Nithi. Meru County is the home of the Imenti, Tigania and Igembe sub-tribes of the Ameru (Meru) tribe, which is related to other tribes living around the Mount Kenya region: the Kikuyu and the Embu people. The Ameru are "Bantu" people who have lived in the Mt. Kenya area for many years, well before Kenya's colonization by Great Britain in the 19th Century. The people of Meru County are now predominantly Christian: Methodist, Presbyterian, Roman Catholic, and other denominations, reflecting the work of missionaries. Meru County is also home to minorities of Indian descent, who are mainly Hindus, and African/Arab descent, who are Muslims. Meru County is also home to some Europeans, predominantly British in ancestry.

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The County headquarters is in Meru town, where MGBA headquarters are located. The County has seven constituencies: South Imenti, Central Imenti, North Imenti, Igembe South Constituency, Constituency, Tigania, Tigania West Constituency and the proposed Buuri Constituency. Box 1: Map of Kenya showing Meru County

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1.3 Meru Goat Breeders Assoc iat ion- (MGBA) structure , miss ion and objec t ives The structure of the association is constituted through a network spanning from the Groups-Units-Districts-to Regional Office. The groups further associate into units. Both units and groups are run by elected farmers and ultimately answer to the regional office, although their daily operations are independent. Currently there are 171 groups of about 20 farmers each making up 314 units. A unit is formed by 4 – 6 groups. The MGBA was thus formed to coordinate and safeguard all Toggernburg dairy goat breeding and health delivery activities in a sustainable way. MGBA is managed by farmers elected to office through free and fair elections. MGBA being a community based farmer led organization was formed to coordinate and safeguard all Toggernburg dairy goat breeding and health delivery activities in a sustainable way. MGBA is managed by farmers elected to office through free and fair election. It has network spanning from the Groups-Units-Distr i c t s - to-Regional Off i c e . The regional Chairperson is the head of the organization supported by committees elected to the Region. The farmers deal with the regional office through elected members from groups.

Box 2: Organizat ion leve ls at MGBA

The regional office is based at the Meru showground while the unit and groups are based on the ground. The association took over the entire management of goat breeding from FARM – Africa on the 15th April 2003, the Non-Governmental Organization which has successfully managed the goat project for the last 22 years. The vision, mission and objectives of MGBA are illustrated in Box 3 in this chapter. 1.4. Partnership Arrangements As mentioned earlier, MGBA was formed in 1998 with support from FARM (Food and Agricultural Research management) Africa and the Ministry of Livestock Development. Farm Africa was funded by the British Government’s Department for International Development (DFID). Other partners who have worked with the MGBA include:

a) Innovation Fund for Agriculture and Agribusiness. Micro-enterprises Support Programme Trust.

b) GTZ

1.4.1 Map of ac tors The following are the actors who play part in the value chain:

c) Public sector MoLD, NGOs (Farm Africa), GTZ, Breeders Association , Kenya Goat Development Network

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d) Farmers e) Local, regional and international customers

Box 3: MGBA’s vis ion, miss ion and objec t ives

MGBA Vision: To become a leading goat breeding organizat ion support ing a v ibrant nat ional goat industry .

Mission Statement: To of f er good management , this wi l l fac i l i tate product ion o f high qual i ty dairy goats for the bene f i t o f i t s members . Basic objectives : These are:

� To develop, promote and safeguard identified Toggernburg breed for food and livestock production.

� To create a forum for Toggernburg breeders to share ideas, information and to educate and train each other through farmer to farmer extension method.

� To implement and monitor the dairy goat breeding scheme as designed. � To promote and sustain performance and pedigree recording of the members’ herds and

any other herd whose owners value animal recording. � To assist members to market their goats and goat products. � To lobby for goat farmers’ interests as maybe deemed necessary. � To network with other goat breeder’s associations/societies including the Kenya Stud

Book in sharing experiences and also disseminating their lessons learnt.

Immediate Objectives: These are: � To become financially self-sustaining by undertaking prudent investment in

diversification and value adding of products and services. � To strengthen its technical and managerial capacities so as to run the association on

sound corporate like principles and practices.

Long Objectives: These are: � To alleviate poverty and improve the living standards of goat farmers in the association

through increased income generation and improved nutrition. � Genetic up gradation of local goats with superior exotic breed (Toggenburg).

1.5. Act iv i t i es o f MGBA The following are the core activities performed by MGBA:

a) Carrying out breeding programmes through rotation of bucks in both districts. This is an exercise to move or rotate bucks after 1-1 ½ years to avoid inbreeding.

b) Carrying out goats’ identification by ear tagging to facilitate proper recording of goats within the groups.

c) Checking the health of entire flock in their groups e.g. hoofing trimming, housing and other related problems.

d) Organizing local shows for dissemination and goat auction. e) Judging and inspection of breeding animals for quality breeding and judging in major

shows. f) Training farmers on their area of experience. g) Monitoring of groups’ activities and keeping their records for information flow.

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2.0 The Innovation The innovation is aimed at alleviating poverty and improving the living standards of goat farmers through increased income generation and improved nutrition. In addition, MGBA is required to continue to genetically upgrade local goats with the superior Toggenburg, attain self-sustenance and strengthen its management and technical capacities so as to run its operations commercially. 2.1 Technical i ssues around the innovat ion Apart from technical issues on breeding, housing, goat health (and general husbandry), fodder production and production of organic manure for kitchen gardening; a highlighted innovation was the introduction and commercialisation of goat milk by a community that had for ages, relied only on cow milk. Goat milk was found to be more nutritious than cow milk. 2.1.1 MGBA breeding plan MGBA has two breeding plans in one a) Production of pure Toggenburg dairy goats and b) Production of ¾ Toggenburg dairy goats (Meru Goats).

2.1.2 .Breeding plan for ¾ Toggernburg dairy goat This breeding plan is carried out through community buck stations owned and managed by the groups. While the pure Toggernburg are produced through community breeding stationed owned by the Association at the group level as well as the pure Toggernburg bucks.

Box 4: Breeding s tages

 

The whole idea behind the above plan is based on the attributes of both goats which are as per the Box 3 below:

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Box 5: Comparison o f at tr ibutes Attr ibutes o f a local goats � It is used to harsh environment � Used to fodder that is locally found � Disease resistant � Used to walking long distances to look

for water.

Attr ibutes o f pure breed goats � Produces more milk � Prone to diseases � Requires high level of management

2.2 Learning points f rom the exper ience and innovat ion Box 6. What do we l earn from this case?

� When given appropriate technical support, farmers have proved that they can be very efficient breeders, equitably sharing the limited genetic resources among themselves, hence strengthening community-based but farmer-led genetic improvement systems is a sure way forward that need to be popularized for small-holder targeted goat development programmes.

� Formation and strengthening if farmer groups, including breeders’ associations at a village level, serve not only as focal centre’s for new technology adaptation and uptake (genetic and husbandry improvement), livestock marketing, but also as avenues for critically addressing the human social factors such as empowerment, good governance, including advocacy rules for the members

� The farmer groups and associations offer windows of opportunities for accessing and managing hitherto unavailable credit facilities (e.g. cash, drugs, feeding stock and equipment) by the resource poor livestock farmers without demanding collaterals.

� The community based and farmer led approaches enable partnership building based on shared needs. This leads to integrated systems approach whereby, all aspects (breeding, feeding, fodder development, housing, marketing, disease control etc) are addressed by the farmers, extension staff and researchers together.

� Policy, research and development needs and issues, especially those touching on the small ruminant sector are better highlighted and discussed when the farmers themselves actively participate. Community based and farmer led initiatives offer direct opportunities for farmers’ participation hence ensuring the inclusion of their view and concerns in the national policy agenda.

� Farmer group approaches could enable value addition to their animals (breed registration and inspection) and products through better quality control and processing (e.g. cheese and other goat milk products) therefore maximizing returns from the enterprise.

� Farmers have become more enlightened and empowered in social organizations and development as can be seen in the number of groups being formed and in the successful MGBA annual general meeting and elections.

� The population of improved goats and pure Toggernburgs that are sold from Meru has continued to increase.

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2.3 The group system An overriding here to ask is- would the farmers have achieved the success noted i f they part i c ipated as indiv iduals? FARM-Africa in collaboration with the Ministry of Livestock development helped set up 44 groups of around 18-25 farmers – women, men or mixed gender and MGBA has independently established 127 groups making a total of 171 groups that for 31 units in 8 districts without counting other hundreds dairy goats groups that are not members of MGBA through farmer to farmer extension. In general the dairy goat groups are strong, autonomous and operational. The majority of over 550,000 user services of project services do not belong to groups, but membership does confer advantages. Without local goat credit scheme administered by each group, the poorest households would have been excluded from the project. Access to training and lower fees for buck and animal health services also eased participation. Group members’ confidence has risen with their knowledge and control. Group assets and income are jointly owned and members often collaborate in a “merry-go-round” savings and credit facility to make the most of their personal resources. Chickens, additional goats and household goods are popular group purchases. Besides cash, members usually share materials and give each other support, encouragement and pressure to live up to group standards. 2.3.1 Advantages o f be ing in a group People value things they pay for. This is the development argument around cost sharing- as a means of conferring sustainability, in terms of training, breeding and treatment. MGBA acts as guarantor for breeding material given on loans repayable in kind for the expansion of the programme, but the individuals are obliged to put up collateral, which encourages a responsible attitude to business. Most MGBA officials are Community Animal Health Workers who treat members’ animals at a cost providing animal health services on demand, making it a demand driven services for quality control. 2.3.2 Gender and the ro le o f women Women in Meru traditionally count goat management among their tasks, and the zero grazing system causes minimal disruption to their other responsibilities. However, the value and income generation of the improved goats attracts an increasing number of men, and their large appetites often involve the whole family in fodder collection. In many household, husband and wife share management of their dairy goat, and take joint decisions on the use of goat income and expansion of activities. The project has supported all-women groups who requested and women believe that their success as goat farmers has earned them new respect from their husbands and empowered them within their own households. The current chair of MGBA is a lady- citing a powerful example of gender inclusion and equality.

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3.0 Achievements, challenges and the future This project is rated to have highly impacted on the lives of the beneficiaries within the County and beyond. 3.1 Achievements MGBA through technical support from the Ministry extension staff and other collaborators has achieved the following:

� The project has successfully coordinated a community-based goat breeding programme. Toggernburgs and their crosses have proved through MGBA experience to be valuable assets, which are growing faster than local goats and with up to five times the monetary value.

� Households are selling dairy goats and milk for cash, for example, to buy food or settle school fees or medical bills. Demand for dairy goats and goat milk is increasing day after day as the communities around and the country at large is learning of their benefits through MGBA exhibitions and farmer to farmer extension system to due to the fact that the programme is highly profitable.

� Crossbred goats have become income generators. Toggernburg female 75% crosses produce 1 ½ - 3 liters of highly nutritious milk per day (3 -6 times as much as a local goat) and can usually continue to do so during droughts. A pure Toggernburg goat male or female is selling for Kshs. 25,000 while female 75% is selling for Kshs. 7,000 – 9,000 per goat, a male selling between Kshs. 8,000 – 10,000.

� Household consumption and sales of goats’ milk have both increased due to its nutritional value creating great demand. The growth in dairy goat industry and goat production has stimulated the development of other markets as goat farmers invest their profits in a range of enterprises.

� MGBA has proved that Toggernburg goats and their crosses are much more resistant to drought that cattle; a living example is the Kenya Dairy Goat Project started through the support of MGBA in terms of experience sharing and supply of breeding materials in Mwingi and Kitui districts.

� MGBA has helped the start if similar dairy goat projects in Burundi, Mbale and Sironko in Uganda and in several provinces of this country thorough the supply of breeding materials and experiential sharing.

� MGBA’s method of cut and carry has proven that goat manure is a valuable fertilizer; particularly for good bananas and other crops as plants reduce the need for agrochemicals. Manure and fodder cultivation together represent and integration of livestock and cropping systems.

� Through MGBA’s good collaboration with the Ministry of Livestock extension staff. Besides material benefits, farmers have gained knowledge, skills and confidence from their goat management experience. Extension staff highlighted better goat housing, fodder cultivation, goat registration and goat valuation (farming as a business). Farmers are particularly proud of the goats they export and visitors they host. Success in goat production enhances status in the community and, for women, within the household. Women can now earn significant incomes from their goats and the respect and cooperation that come with it.

� The Meru Goat Breeders’ Association (MGBA) coordinates the breeding programme and marketing the sales of improved goats. MGBA also shares information with the goat development community in Kenya and the region, contributes to provincial livestock policy and is part of a consortium lobbying for a national livestock board.

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� MGBA carried out trainings (2010/ 2011) to all its 171 groups making 38 training sections, where 3320 farmers were trained on clean milk production and handling.

� MGBA has revised its constitution to match the current one and was approved during the AGM.

� MGBA has a dairy goats’ milk processing plant that processes its members’ milk into Caprino products.

i. Fresh pasteurized milk ii. Strawberry Flavor Yoghurt iii. Vanilla Flavor Yoghurt iv. Banana Flavor Yoghurt.

� MGBA has prepared a Milk Processing Plant Strategic and Business Plan for 2010-2015. � MGBA has increased milk pay out to its farmers from Kshs. 40 to Kshs. 60 per liter. � MGBA through MAHWG (Meru Animal Health Workers’ Group) which is part of

MGBA has started Goat Artificial Insemination. 3.2 Chal lenges

� With the County system of devolved government some groups in the Tharaka Nithi County would like to sever ties with MGBA, due to the perception that it is “owned” in Meru County

� It is expensive to rotate bucks to new areas- and this has caused inbreeding � There is less fodder with the private land tenure system and make it difficult to find

enough feed for the goats � Time factor given to the project by MGBA management, since it is a farmer led project

lacking full time business management opportunity. � Resources to carry out capacity building and facilitate proper monitoring of MGBA

activities. � Level of management skills/ knowledge within the MGBA management. � Brokers selling dairy products on behalf of MGBA and thus denying MGBA revenue to

run the association. � Thirst of leadership among the MGBA members, causing problems in knowing genuine

members due to lack of manpower within MGBA to carry out proper monitoring of the Association.

� Brokers are selling the color of the Toggernburg goat rather than the breed. � Inadequate funds to maintain the association activities. � The group lacks funds to relocate the milk plant from rented premises to the piece of

land allocated to us by the Government. � MGBA is not getting new blood into the genetic pool due to the current importation

conditions. This has led into in breading. 3.2 The future MGBA continues to implement the long term objectives of alleviating poverty and improving the living standards of goal farmers in the association through increased income generation and improved nutrition and genetic upgrading of local goats with superior exotic breed (Toggenburg). The following is the way forward for MGBA:

� To settle at the piece of land allocated by the Government for both offices and the goat milk processing plant.

� To develop the plant into a major goat milk processing factory. � To review and put into practice the MGBA business plan. � To import more Toggenburg goats to improve the gene pool.

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4.0 Additional reading and references www.slideshare.net/.../the-meru-goat-breeders-association-mgba-a-po

kenyadairy.com/mini.../meru-goat-breeders-association/production

www.maendeleo-atf.org/Project-Profiles/profs_envAl.html

www.ilri.cgiar.org/handle/10568/3101?show=fu

http://www.farmafrica.org.uk/