This article focuses on the classification and breeds of goats, with emphasis on Nigerian goat breeds. A brief mention of some goat breeds found in other regions will also be made.

Interest in the value of goats as domestic livestock is currently widespread. This is due to the recognition of their role in food production, their economic importance in the tropics, and their contribution to traditional farming systems.

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Population and Distribution of Goats

Approximately 94 percent of the total world goat population is found in developing countries, with Africa accounting for about 32.9 percent. In Africa, large populations of goats are found in Nigeria, Ethiopia, Somalia, and Sudan. These four countries account for a significant percentage of the total goat population in the African continent.

Nigeria has about 34 million goats, most of which are found in the Sahel, Sudan, and Guinea Savanna Zones of the country. The dwarf goats, however, are adapted to the humid tropics.

Importance of Goats

Goats are multi-purpose animals, producing meat, milk, skin, and hair. Their primary function is meat production, although in temperate countries, milk has become more important.

1. Source of Meat

Goat meat is highly valued in countries where there is a tradition of consuming meat from both sheep and goats. Goat meat is divided into three categories:

Cabrito – meat from goats 8-12 weeks of age
Meat from young goats 1-2 years of age
Meat from old goats 2-6 years of age

The first type is popular in Latin America and the Caribbean. The second category is widely produced, while the third category generally produces tougher meat. Currently, the demand for goat meat exceeds supply, leading to higher prices for both the meat and live animals.

2. Source of Milk

Goat milk is widely consumed where it is produced, often fresh. Recently, goat milk has been processed into other products. As a source of milk, goats play a valuable role in providing animal protein to rural communities. For peasant farmers and families unable to maintain a cow or buffalo, the goat is referred to as “the poor man’s cow.”

3. Source of Hair and Skin

The skin of the Maradi (Red Sokoto) goat in Nigeria is renowned for its superior quality and commands a premium in global markets. Similarly, the Mubende skin from Uganda is well known. Goat hair is extensively used in the production of bags, ropes, and carpets.

4. Source of Income

For rural households, nomadic, and semi-nomadic pastoralists, goats provide employment and serve as a major source of readily available income to meet daily financial needs.

5. Security and Other Contributions

To traditional arable farmers, small ruminants offer security during periods of crop failure. Goats also contribute to prestige, religious practices, and festive occasions. Recently, goats have been used as experimental animals, particularly in studies related to milk fat synthesis and physiological mechanisms. Additionally, goats assist in the efficient utilization of non-marketable crop resources.

Breeds of Goats

There are approximately 300 breeds and types of goats worldwide, with the majority found in the tropics and subtropics. Of these, about 70 breeds and varieties have been distinguished in Africa. Further information on breeds can be found in works by Epstein (1971), Mason (1981), and Devendra and Burns (1983).

This article will primarily focus on Nigerian goat breeds, with a brief mention of some European breeds and their roles in the tropics.

A. Nigerian Indigenous Goat Breeds

1.Sahel/Desert Goat

This breed is common in the arid Sahel region of Nigeria. It is medium to large in size, with long legs and a coat of short, fine hair. The breed is highly adapted to nomadic life and thrives in desert to semi-desert conditions.

It is tolerant of hot, dry environments but is unsuited to humid regions. Sahel goats are used for both meat and skin production, and a few are good milk producers. The males are horned, and fertility may be lower than in the West African Dwarf goat.

2. Maradi (Red Sokoto) Goat

This breed is one of the few well-defined goat breeds in Africa. It is the most numerous goat breed in Nigeria and was originally confined to the Niger Republic and Sokoto province.

The Maradi goat is known for its uniformly dark red color, and its skin is among the most valuable of all goat skins. It is a good meat producer, and in Niger, it is commonly milked, yielding about 0.5 kg of milk in the dry season and up to 1.5 kg in the wet season.

3. West African Dwarf Goat

This breed is found in the tropical forest belt of southern Nigeria and other West African countries like Cameroon. It is small in size and short-legged, with an average height of 50 cm at the withers.

The breed exhibits a variety of coat colors, with black and brown predominating. It is known for its hardiness, tolerance to trypanosomiasis, and high prolificacy, often producing twins and triplets.

B. Other Important Goat Breeds in the Tropics

1. Nubian Goat

This breed is associated with Sudan and is now widespread in Northeast Africa and the Mediterranean coastal belt. It is the only African breed specialized for milk production. Nubian goats are large, long-legged, and have long pendulous ears with a pronounced Roman nose. Milk yield ranges from 1-2 kg daily or 120-140 kg annually.

2. Boar Goat

The Boar goat, found mainly in South Africa, has been intensively selected for color pattern and meat conformation. Boar goats are hardy under tropical conditions but are not suited to humid regions. Fertility is high, and the breed also produces good milk.

3. Saanen

Originating from Switzerland, the Saanen breed is known for its dairy production. Saanens are polled, with erect ears that point forward. They are vulnerable in environments with no shade and poor nutrition. The daily milk yield of Saanen goats can reach up to 3.3 kg.

4. Angora

The Angora goat, known for its production of mohair, originated in Central Asia and was introduced to South Africa and the United States. The breed thrives in hot, dry climates and is mainly raised for mohair, though it also produces meat and milk as secondary products.

In conclusion, goats are regarded as tropical species with a wide ecological range. In Nigeria, goats are found from the Sahelian Zone in the north to the humid coastal belt in the south. There are three major indigenous goat breeds in Nigeria, and many other breeds exist worldwide, although much remains to be learned about their value and characteristics.

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Population and Distribution of Goats In Nigeria