Farmers’ knowledge and perceptions of goat production towards poverty alleviation in Buseruka sub-county, Hoima district

Abstract

Goats have been praised for their role and potential in lifting poor people out of poverty worldwide. This study was conducted to investigate farmers’ knowledge and perceptions towards poverty alleviation in Buseruka sub-county, Hoima district. A total of 45 respondents (30 males and 15 female) were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. The results indicated that many goat farmers in Buseruka sub-county do not use the recommended goat husbandry practices. For instance, 91.1% of the farmers do not allow their goats free access to water, while 80% do not keep records. Majority of the respondents (68.9%) indicated that goats were not important for poverty alleviation. However, the Chi-square test of association indicated that this response was significantly related (χ2 = 11.362; P = 0.01) to the education level of the respondent. Respondents with lower education levels believed that goats were not important, while respondents with higher education levels believed goats were important for poverty alleviation in Buseruka sub-county. Predatory animals and thefts of goats were cited as the major challenges faced. As a recommendation, farmers’ perceptions and attitudes should never be ignored when planning any poverty alleviating initiatives. And finally, goat farmers in Buseruka sub-county should be offered training in in the recommended goat husbandry practices.