Uganda has received Jianzhou Big Ear goats from China under the FAO-China-Uganda South-South Cooperation Project, a move aimed at boosting livestock productivity, enhancing milk and meat yields, and supporting agro-industrialization.
The consignment was handed over to the National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO) after completing a 21-day quarantine at the National Animal Genetic Resources Centre and Databank (NAGRC&DB) in Entebbe.
At the handover ceremony, the Minister of State for Animal Industry, Bright Rwamirama, said the goats will be crossbred with indigenous breeds to improve performance.
“We already have some competitive breeds, such as the Boer from South Africa. However, certain indigenous breeds like the Kigezi and Bitanga do not gain sufficient weight,” Rwamirama said.
"With this new breed from China, we will conduct research to establish whether they are indeed ‘wonder goats.’ If proven, we shall import more and make them available to farmers."
He recalled Uganda’s past challenges in meeting international orders for goats, managing only three consignments before supply collapsed.
He said introducing high-performing breeds is crucial for national food security and for expanding the livestock sector into commercial value chains.
“We are no longer talking about just production but productivity, because our population is growing while land remains static,” he added.
Receiving the goats on behalf of NARO, Dr. Swidiq Mugerwa, Deputy Director General in charge of Research, highlighted the breed’s rapid growth and high yield.
“The purpose of introducing this breed is to enable Ugandan farmers to boost both milk and meat production, thereby increasing household incomes and improving livelihoods,” Dr. Mugerwa explained.
He noted that most Ugandan flocks currently consist of Mubende, Small East African, and Kigezi goats.
The Mubende can weigh about 35kg in two years, and the Small East African averages 25kg in the same period. By comparison, the Jianzhou Big Ear reaches 45kg in just 18 months.
Julius Twinamasiko, National Coordinator of the South-South Cooperation Project, said NARO will oversee research and breeding while NAGRC&DB handles multiplication.
He credited FAO and China for their support, noting that China has dispatched 64 experts and technical officers to Uganda in areas such as crop production, livestock, aquaculture, and value addition.