The recently held annual Goat Indaba, organised by the Goat Breeders Association of Zimbabwe (GBAZ), showcased top-tier goat breeds at prices up to $1,000 USD per animal, a stark contrast to the $15-$50 market value of goats owned by many low-income Zimbabwean farmers.
With the majority of Zimbabwe’s rural population unable to afford high-quality breeds like the Kalahari Red and Boer goats featured at the auction, there are growing calls for a national policy to ensure that the country’s smallholder farmers also benefit from Zimbabwe’s evolving goat market.
At the Goat Indaba, key policymakers and breeders gathered under the theme “Growing the National Herd – One Goat at a Time.”
The event, which included training on premium goat breeds and an auction, saw top prices like $900 for a Kalahari Red stud buck and $600 for a Savanna commercial buck.
Yet, as GBAZ Chairperson Sifiso Agbetorwoka acknowledged, “A lot of work still needs to be done to build the Zimbabwean commercial goat industry.”
Many feel that without a targeted policy, the industry will only serve wealthier farmers and buyers.
The goat auction—intended to build a market value structure by enabling local breeders to access genetics from South Africa’s elite Boer Goat Breeders Association—showcased how elite breeds fetch prices unattainable for the average rural farmer.
“An auction provides a process to establish the market value of a goat by bringing together buyers and sellers in a fair process,” Agbetorwoka said.
With these premium prices, smallholder farmers, who form the majority of Zimbabwe’s goat producers, remain on the sidelines.
Dr. Divine Simbi Ndhlukula, GBAZ co-founder and keynote speaker, highlighted the potential for rural development if small-scale farmers are included in the goat commercialisation movement.
“Goats have the potential to change the fortunes of rural communities,” Ndhlukula said in her address, “but this can only happen through policy support and increased awareness among smallholder farmers. If we support and commercialize, our farmers will sell their goats, and the throughput to the market for goat meat will be better than it is today.”
Despite the enthusiasm surrounding goat production, the initiative faces challenges, particularly regarding equity.
The recent corruption scandal surrounding the National Goat Scheme has cast a shadow on the government’s previous attempts to support small-scale farmers.
High-profile arrests of individuals such as Mike Chimombe, who was implicated in fraud related to the scheme, have raised concerns that government-led programs risk falling prey to elitism and mismanagement without accountability.
For many, this history highlights the need for a policy that genuinely addresses the barriers faced by low-income goat farmers, including access to affordable, high-quality breeds.
Without a structured support system, initiatives like the Goat Indaba may remain distant from those who need them most.
While training and knowledge dissemination were central components of this year’s event, stakeholders argue that they need practical support measures, such as subsidised access to quality goats, training that aligns with smallholder realities, and structured markets for locally affordable breeds.
“Right now, our production is still below consumption,” Ndhlukula emphasised, signaling the urgency of increasing goat production to meet national demand.
As the goat industry in Zimbabwe looks toward expansion, GBAZ aims to foster better structures and a stronger value chain.
The reality remains that, without a focused policy, Zimbabwe’s rural farmers will be hard-pressed to move beyond subsistence levels and contribute to the commercial goat market.