Today we visited the goat farm on the satellite campus, across Awassa. The University imported 53 Boer (meat) goats from South Africa 3 years ago: 46 does and 7 bucks. The females cost $600 and the males cost $900 USD. This is part of a large 5 year project involving 10 sites in 6 regions and supported by USAID. The objective of the project is to improve the carcass quality of the local breeds. There are four phases to this project: the nucleus site (which we visited) is the multiplier site, where they increase the numbers of the purebred animals, as well as crossing them with local goats. These first cross animals will be sold to farmers who have the facilities to maintain them. The other phases include extension work, herd health, and technology transfer (genetic diversity). The goats were fed sweet potatoe vine, elephantesis grass, guatamala grass, and legumes including alfalfa, sasbania tree, and deomodium. They are also let out daily to graze on the native vegetation. It was very interesting.
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