JAMAICA | Revitalizing Jamaica's Goat Farming Industry

KINGSTON, Jamaica, December 28, 2024 - At $2,500 per pound, goat meat in Jamaica has become a luxury few can afford – a stark irony in a nation where goats once roamed freely across its verdant landscape. 

This price surge has forced even the island's prestigious hotels and restaurants to substitute cheaper imported mutton, threatening a centuries-old farming tradition that began when Spanish and Portuguese settlers first introduced these hardy animals to Jamaica's shores in the 16th century.

The transformation of Jamaica's goat farming industry tells a complex tale of missed opportunities and resilience. 

From their biblical associations as creatures of both sacrifice and stubbornness, to their role in modern Jamaican agriculture, goats have remained a crucial yet increasingly challenged part of the island's farming landscape. 

For centuries, these animals roamed wild and free, until the past hundred years saw a shift toward organized backyard farming – a practice that particularly benefited small landowners and landless farmers, while larger landowners focused on cattle.

The industry's evolution took a fascinating turn through the entrepreneurial spirit of Indian traders from western parishes like St. Elizabeth, who developed intricate trading networks across the island. 

Their nomadic trade practices led to the unexpected emergence of Kingston as Jamaica's largest urban goat farming hub. 

This period saw notable successes, including the establishment of the country's largest commercial goat farm in Mountain Side, St. Elizabeth, owned by the late Glenister Henry OD, boasting a remarkable herd of over 500 goats.

However, the industry's pastoral nature faced increasing challenges as Jamaica modernized. The rapid increase in motor vehicles and urban development forced a transformation from informal roadside grazing to more structured farming operations, complete with wooden pens and fenced pastures.

The 1960s marked a pivotal moment when the government launched an ambitious improvement program for small ruminants, establishing specialized units at Bodles Research Station and later at Honslow in St. Elizabeth. 

These facilities were tasked with a bold mission: developing a distinctly Jamaican breed that would combine the hardy resilience of native stock with the superior traits of imported breeds like the Boer and Nubian. 

The goal was clear – create larger, more productive meat goats and more prolific dairy animals adapted to local conditions.

Yet, unlike the cattle sector's success story – where TP Lecky's groundbreaking work led to four recognized tropical cattle breeds – the small ruminant program failed to deliver similar breakthroughs. 

The disparity in research emphasis between cattle and goats left a legacy of unfulfilled potential, with researchers unable to match Lecky's world-recognized genetic achievements.

This research gap persisted until 1997, when the industry took matters into its own hands with the formation of the Goat Breeders Society, later renamed the Small Ruminant Association of Jamaica (SRAJ). 

While the organization has earned praise for its training seminars, agricultural exhibitions, and on-farm activities, it has struggled to achieve its broader objectives of expanding goat and sheep farming or driving substantive research in breeding and nutrition.

The stark reality of Jamaica's current small ruminant sector tells a troubling story: local production of mutton and chevon (goat meat) accounts for a mere 15 percent of consumption, with a staggering 85 percent coming from imported sources. 

This imbalance represents both a challenge and an opportunity, highlighting the vast market gap that local producers could potentially fill.

The crisis in Jamaica's goat farming sector runs deeper than mere statistics. As local goat meat prices soar to prohibitive levels, hotels and restaurants increasingly turn to imported mutton from countries like New Zealand – though notably, these imports often consist of lower-grade carcasses, as premium cuts are reserved for more lucrative Arab markets. 

This shift has transformed what was once an affordable protein source for lower and middle-income Jamaicans into an expensive delicacy, while opening the door to substandard imported alternatives.

Praedial larceny remains a persistent threat, compounded by losses from stray dogs and other hazards. The SRAJ has long advocated for stronger anti-theft legislation and modern security measures, including camera systems, radar technology, and electric fencing. 

Yet perhaps the most pressing need is for a comprehensive small ruminant survey – a crucial first step that, despite repeated requests, remains unfulfilled by government authorities.

The path forward may lie in innovative partnerships. The Jamaica Bauxite Institute's reclaimed mining lands – over 10,000 acres of which currently lie idle – present an intriguing opportunity. 

These arid conditions, while challenging for crops and cattle, are well-suited to goats and sheep, which require less water and can adapt to harsh environments. Such a venture could simultaneously address land availability issues and drive local feed development, reducing dependence on expensive imported feed.

The SRAJ's vision for a central facility at Bodles, Denbigh, or Hauge to host a Small Ruminant Association festival, complete with product displays and animal auctions, mirrors the successful model of the annual Minard Beef Cattle show. 

This could provide the industry with the showcase it desperately needs while strengthening ties between government agencies, research organizations, and SRAJ members.

The time is ripe for a coordinated effort between financial institutions, government bodies, and small ruminant farmers to revitalize this crucial agricultural sector. 

With proper investment, strong anti-theft measures, and innovative land use strategies, Jamaica's goat farming industry could once again provide affordable, high-quality protein while supporting local farmers and reducing import dependence. 

The question remains: will stakeholders seize this opportunity to transform crisis into renaissance?

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