Goat empowerment to farming, the Kano State initiative

 

Admin I Thursday, January 23, 2025

 

KANO, Nigeria – The Kano State Governor, Mr.Abba Kabir Yusuf has embarked on qualitative empowerment of his subjects to lift them permanently from poverty through the goat empowerment initiative.

Rather than merely sharing money, the governor decided to empower his people with goats, effectively kicking off massive goat farming at the grassroots.

Speaking on the goat empowerment initiative, a teacher and farmer, Mallam Jabir wrote on his X, the
socio-economic benefits of goat farming for rural women.

According to him, goat rearing is a viable and sustainable livelihood strategy that offers numerous socio-economic benefits for rural women.

This enterprise, he wrote is particularly suited to rural areas, where women can leverage their existing knowledge, skills, and resources to establish a thriving goat-rearing business.

He continued:

“Let’s look at some factors that justify the simplicity and flexibility of goat farming/rearing.

1. Initial Investment and Low Maintenance

The initial investment required to establish a goat-rearing enterprise is relatively low. Rural women can start with a small herd, purchasing or receiving goats as gifts from the government, family or friends.

The cost of feed, veterinary care, and infrastructure is also minimal, as goats can graze on local vegetation and thrive in simple shelters constructed from local materials.

2. Flexibility and Time Management

Goat rearing is a flexible enterprise that can be managed on a part-time basis, allowing rural women to balance their other responsibilities, such as childcare, household chores, and agricultural activities.

Women can allocate specific times of the day for goat care, ensuring that their other obligations are not compromised.

3. Quick Returns and Income Generation

Goats breed quickly, with a short gestation period of approximately 150 days.
Kids can be sold after just a few months, providing a steady source of income for rural women.

This rapid turnover enables women to generate a consistent income stream, which can be used to support their families, invest in their children’s education, or expand their goat-rearing enterprise.

4. Empowerment and Gender Equality

Goat rearing empowers rural women by providing them with a sense of independence, financial security, and decision-making authority.

This enterprise enables women to take control of their livelihoods, make informed decisions about their businesses, and contribute to their households’ economic well-being.

By promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment, goat rearing can help to reduce poverty, improve health outcomes, and enhance overall well-being in rural communities.

5. No Negative Impact on Livelihood

Goat rearing does not require rural women to sacrifice their existing livelihoods or compromise their other responsibilities.

Instead, this enterprise complements their existing activities, providing an additional source of income and improving their overall economic resilience by diversifying their income streams and reducing their dependence on a single livelihood strategy, rural women can better withstand economic shocks, improve their food security, and enhance their overall quality of life.

In conclusion, goat rearing is a simple, yet powerful, way to empower rural women, improve their livelihoods, and enhance their overall well-being.

Kudos to @Kyusufabba for this wonderful initiative, my only concern is how the government intends to monitor the initiative.

He suggested that monitoring and evaluation should be prioritized by the relevant stakeholders.