1. AGRICULTURE : Goat meat production
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Opportunity
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The purpose of this project is to establish a small-scale goat farming project in the Mphahlele area in the Lepelle-Nkumpi LM.
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Nature of the Project
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Goat farming consists of the following processes:
- Breeding program
- Kidding phase
- Selection process
- Diagnostics and veterinary activities
- Feeding program
- Housing of goats
- Marketing
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Rationale for this venture
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In 2003, goat meat consumption was 0.64 kg per capita. The local demand for goat meat in Lepelle-Nkumpi is estimated at approximately 15 000kg of goat meat or 1,000 goats per annum at an average of 15 kg per goat. Only 0.5% of goats are sold as goat meat in retail.
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Attractiveness Assessment
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Goat meat is promoted as a healthy meat in the major retail stores in South Africa. The majority of livestock in Capricorn DM are goats (44%) of which 98% are produced on communal level.
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Key Competitive Advantage
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- Indigenous goats are abundant in Lepelle-Nkumpi and an ideal option for meat production.
- The operation of a goat farming project requires a low level of skill. Such project is a labour intensive procedure which entails the training and employment of a large number of local community members.
- Lepelle-Nkumpi LM has numerous subsistence goat farms in the area, of which a number of goats are currently not being processed. These goats could serve as the supply for a goat farming project.
- Currently no direct competitors that produce goat farming products exist in the Municipality and District.
- Lepelle-Nkumpi LM has a warm, semi-arid condition, which are conducive to goat farming.
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Potential Economic Impact
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A goat farm will have the following potential economic impacts:
- An increase in employment opportunities
- Promote entrepreneurship
- Curb poverty
- Income generation
- Skills training
- Improved food security
- Upliftment of impoverished rural communities
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Investment Requirements
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The preliminary operational expenditure for a goat farm amounts to approximately R42 000, which include feed expenses, veterinary expenses, maintenance, overheads, capital improvements and marketing.
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Linkages
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Secondary activities arising from a goat farming project include:
- Meat
- Milk
- Hides
- Hair
- Pack animals
- Fertilisers (manure)/source of fuel
- Weed control
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