Goat farming (domestic and commercial) make up a healthy portion of the market share of the Nigerian agricultural market. There are majorly three breeds of indigenous goats that are reared in Nigeria. They include:
- The West African dwarf
- Red Sokoto
- Borno Sahel
These breeds of cattle are usually preferred for extensive and semi-intensive goat farming due to their hardy nature and resistance to most diseases that are endemic to Nigeria unlike exotic breeds such as Saanen and Anglo Nubia. (
West African Dwarf
- Found in the forest zone of Nigeria
- Possess small body size and short legs which allow them to move easily through thick vegetation in forest regions
- The Colour of the coat varies from black to white and grey or is usually a combination of two or all these colors.
- Height varies from 40 to 50cm and weight from 18 to 20kg
- It is a very hardy breed and resistant to trypanosome.
Red Sokoto
- Found mostly in the Sokoto area of Nigeria and part of Niger republic
- It possesses a red coat and is considered a good quality for leather production. It is also the most well-defined breed in Nigeria.
- Weighs between 20 and 30kg.
Borno Sahel
- They possess a fine short coat with colors ranging from white, black, red, or a combination of all these colors.
- They have a medium to large body size with long legs which are well adapted to trekking.
Males weigh an average of 25 to 30kg while females weigh an average of 20 to 25kg.
To read more on general livestock production click here and more on goat production here
Written by: Alahira Jeffrey