Global breeding programs

Potential of the indigenous goat value chain and genetic resource in Botswana, South Africa and Zimbabwe

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Abstract

Poor characterisation of the indigenous goat and its value chain, weak linkages with key drivers, and extensive production systems have led to compromised breed purity, low flock numbers, and unmarketable crosses, limiting competitiveness and slowing formal market uptake. The study analysed the indigenous goat value chain of Botswana, South Africa and Zimbabwe, and links it with the genetic potential of indigenous goats in the region to promote an integrated framework that aligns genetic improvement of valuable traits. The value chain framework identified that small-scale farmers in the villages are the primary producers of animals across the three countries; therefore, this production system was used as a focal point of investigation. A total of 630 small-scale farmers from Botswana, South Africa, and Zimbabwe were interviewed, and Illumina genotype quality-controlled data from 886 indigenous goats representing the different production systems, breeds and ecotypes in the region. The majority of the farmers were males in South Africa and Zimbabwe. At the same time, females dominated (58.9%) the production in Botswana, with a low percentage of youth (18 - 35 years), as farmers were majority middle-aged (MC1R, ASIP), growth and body size (GHR, IGF1, LCORL), heat adaptation (HSP70, AQP), immune response (TLR and MHC regions), and reproductive traits (GDF9, BMP15). The current study highlights farmers as integral value chain actors, recommending that the development of the value chain lies in their playing multiple roles, including co-developers of solutions. Community-level research must focus on promoting sustainable production fitting to farmer dynamics, improved market alignment, competitiveness through their animals and linkages, and greater recognition of the economic and cultural value of indigenous goats.

Keywords: 2026

How to Cite:

Hadebe, K., Mani, S., Moloto, K., Seolwana, F., Mailula, P., Ngobeni, L., Kgosikoma, K., Monau, P., Raphaka, K., Mareko, M., Nsoso, S., Chimboza, P., Nhara, R., Mutandwa, E., Halimani, T. & Matli, W., (2026) “Potential of the indigenous goat value chain and genetic resource in Botswana, South Africa and Zimbabwe”, World Congress on Genetics Applied to Livestock Production Digital Archive 2026(1): 2287069. doi: https://doi.org/10.31274/wcgalp.24204

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