Goats: Help Families Become Self-Sufficient

Lambi has a total of 5 Organizations that it is currently following in the field of Livestock. The organizations involved in these projects are:

• Rivière Blanch Peasant Development Organization (ODEPERIB): Goat Breeding
• Clonard People's Association (AGDEC): Goat Breeding
• Akil Gwomon Livestock Farmers Association (APEAG): Goat Breeding
• Manich Active Women's Group for the Revalorization of Manich (GFARM): Goat Breeding
• Haitian Peasant Collective Development Organization (ODEPCHA): Sheep breeding

ODEPERIB

Since the start of the project in March of 2025, all planned activities are going well. The ODEPERIB organization purchased several goats which are in good shape, so far. Currently, there are 22 goats that have mated and there are 8 left waiting for them to come into heat before mating them. Today, there are 15 breeders who are not members of the Organization who have mated their goats with goats in the project. Since the goats have not yet produced any offspring, we cannot speak about the results. We hope that in the next report, we will be able to give a true account of the evolution of the Organization's livestock (how many goats have been born...) and we hope that more people will purchase the mating service from the Organization.

AGEDEC.

The project started 14 months ago with a herd of 55 goats (50 females, 5 goats). During this period, 46 of the females have already given birth to 59 kids in the first litter (30 females, 29 goats). Among the kids born, 5 have died (4 goats, 1 female). The herd now has a total of 114 goats (55 mothers, 54 kids and 5 goats that started the project).

The project has maintained its 75 beneficiaries because after the first weaning, the Organization distributed 25 kids to 25 new members.

We hope that in the next report, we will be able to provide complete information on the progress of the project such as the number of beneficiaries within the Organization that has increased, the total number of goats in the herd, etc.

GFARM (STARTING END OF DECEMBER)

GFARM obtained 40 female goats and 4 male goats. Currently, 12 goats had given birth to 12 kids (9 females, 3 goats). Of this litter, 2 females had abortions. 8 females had calved again. 10 mated and 9 others had not mated yet.

GOAT CARE

In all breeding projects, there are 2 types of animal care provided; feeding care and health care. The members ensures that their goats receive proper nutrition. Therefore, the following types of fodder are used to feed the goats: Guinea grass, elephant grass, Guatemala grass, lespedeza hay, velvet bean etc.

The Veterinary Technician provides the goats with a series of preventive care for a number of diseases such as worms, diarrhea, and vitamin deficiencies. There are processes taken by the Organization to ensure that the stock of medicines are replenished. For example, in Artibonite, beneficiary members do not pay for the preventive care but they pay the same as the non-members depending on the medicine they are needing where rapid intervention is required.

In the South department, for example, direct beneficiary members pay a contribution of 100.00 Gourdes for preventive services that are carried out every 3 months. After that, whenever there is additional medicine required and payments are made out-of-pocket.

Due to the health measures taken by the Organizations, the goats are in good health. Follow-up visits by committees and Veterinary Agents is essential to success of the livestock.

BREEDING MANAGEMENT

In Artibonite, the members of ODEPERIB nor APEAG does not spends a single Haitian Gourde for the project’s goat breeding service. However, for those who are not members of the Organizations who request the service, they are required to pay a fee for it. In this regard, ODEPERIB charges outsiders to pay 100.00 gourdes for each breeding service, while APEAG charges non-membersa fee of 200.00 gourdes. In the South Department, the Organizations charge 50.00 gourdes for breeding services. Thus, in ODEPERIB there are a total of 15 female goats that have been crossed with the project goats, which allows them to earn 2700.00 gourdes. In APEAG, they have 39 females that have been mated with the goats, which allows them to earn 4350.00 gourdes.

IMPACT OF THE LIVESTOCK PROJECT ON THE AREAS, THE ORGANIZATION MEMBERS AND THE COMMUNITIES

The project is demonstrating gradual success. However, the Organization desires to expand to include more members of the community. The goat breeders have become more motivated to increase their knowledge in learning new ways to protect their animals, provide nutrition and medical care. Members of the Organization are becoming better at mastering goat breeding practices. Several small pharmacies has sprung in the regions that allow breeders to obtain medicine to care for their goats. The volume of goats in the communities has increased and many offspring are being born to satisfy more members and people in their communities