13th September, 2013
Prince Arinze Onebunne
Many developing countries now recognize the importance of livestock in integrated production systems to provide the sustainable increase in food necessary to feed their rapidly expanding population. Geese farming fits well into such system and are especially well adapted to the humid tropics. They can provide healthy meat and eggs from natural grazing and seems to be more resistant to diseases than other avian species. Yet, even given these advantages, geese farming have remained a neglected species. Geese play an important role in small-scale farming system as an economic and ecological alternative for weed control and as guard animals.
RAISING GEESE
The production of this animal gives farmers a big chance to increase their income and offers an alternative to chicken and also a means of addressing poverty. It is for these advantages that Jovana Farms launched a nationwide initiative to promote farming of Geese, Ostrich, Quail, Mushroom, Grasscutter, Antelope, Rabbit, Snail, etc.
Geese farming can be started with just one unit normally called a foundation stock, which is sold for between N40,000 to N60,000 depending on the specie. A unit comprises 2-males and 6-females. Therefore with N65,000 you are already in good business. It may interest you to know that at Jovana Farms we have for sale fast growing species of geese and other animals including large quantity of quail and geese eggs.
Geese are found all over the world, but at present, geese’s farming is economically important only in Asia, America, some part of Africa and Central Europe.
BREEDS OF GEESE
Some European breeds, such as the Emden and Toulouse, have been introduced into tropical developing countries with notable success. Moreover, Chinese geese which are widely kept in south-east Asia, seem to be especially promising for small-holders. They are very good layers, active foragers (making them economical and useful as weeders), and the most alert and “talkative” breed and they produce the leanest quality white meat.
GEESE AS A MULTIPURPOSE ANIMAL
Small-scale animal farmers subsist mainly on the product of their own farms, scarcity of land, labour and capital obliges them to reorient their livestock production towards species that are cheap and easy to maintain and that provide animal protein as well as cash income. Geese are particularly well suited to such systems. Mature geese are independent, larger than other poultry species and thus less vulnerable to predator when kept in small flocks and allowed to roam the farmland, field or backyard. They are adept scavengers, requiring less attention than any other domestic bird. Geese adapt easily to captivity if small quantity of supplementary feed are provided to boost their rapid growth. Thus, requiring little extra work, these animals supply nutritious meat, huge eggs and rich fat for cooking, as well as soft down and feather for bedding, clothing, upholstery, which makes them particularly appropriate for providing farmers with a supplementary income.
Geese are among the fastest-growing avian species commonly raised for meat. Geese meat is tender, palatable and very nutritious. Geese farming can be incorporated into an integrated farming system in order to utilize farm waste product effectively, hence providing small-scale farmers with a source of extra income and a much needed animal protein source for the family.
Are you still playing the Thomas?. If so, then you have a long waiting to do on the unemployed queue. Avoid writing hundreds, possibly thousands of job applications where you “beg to apply” instead of settling down with this easy-to-start, profitable agribusiness that will help you build up your business capital, feed yourself and your family, get others employed and launch you en-route your financial freedom. The choice is yours.
Jovana farms organizes nationwide sensitization training seminars on the practical ways of making it through small scale animal farming. Attend our nationwide seminars nearest to you and know more opportunities in Geese farming. Visit us at www.jovanafarms.com or www.facebook.com/jovanafarm for more details.