The Impact of Improved Breeds on Goat Production in Jamaica

There is evidence that goats were imported into Jamaica as early as 1894 either from the Canary Island or Africa. There was however, no organized importation until the mid eighteenth century when the Nanny and Rupi goats were imported from Europe and Spain. Thereafter the Angora, Anglo-Nubian, Toggenburg, Saanen, Alpine, LaMancha and Boer have been introduced. The Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development lnstitute (CARDl) under the European Development Fund (EDF) Technology Transfer and Applied Research Project (TTARP) embarked on a goat development project in 1990. The activities included the introduction ofimproved genetic material, improved feeding, improved management and husbandry practices. Under the CARDI/EDF TIARP, eight Purebred Anglo-Nubian bucks and 36 does were imported from the UK. into Jamaica in 1992. The first organized importation of Boer goats was in December 1996 when 17 and 4 Boer bucks and does respectively were imported from the USA. The present purebred Anglo-Nubian population in Jamaica is approximately 178 (75 bucks and 103 does), while that ofpurebred Boers is about 159, comprising 95 bucks and 64 does. To date over 10,000 native or graded does have been bred to the improved breeds, producing more than 16,000 crossbred Anglo-Nubian and Boer 􀀀~􀀀o􀀀a􀀀t􀀀s􀀀. Reproductive and growth performance of the Anglo-Nubian have been monitored over the past five years 'While data collection on the same parameters for the Boers commenced a year ago. The influence of the two breeds on the Jamaica goat industry is discussed within the context ofsocioeconomic impact and effect on farm family income.