Goats Reared Most Than Cows In Uganda- UBOS Livestock Census Report

admin_spyreports

Mar 28, 2024 - 16:18

Goats Reared Most Than Cows In Uganda- UBOS Livestock Census Report

.The Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) 2021 National Livestock Census has revealed that goats are mostly reared domestic animals in Uganda compared to cows and other domestic animals.

According to the Livestock census report which was launched today at Imperial Royal Hotel in Kampala by State Minister for Agricultural and Animal Husbandry Hon Bright Rwamirama, the total population of goats is 17.4 million compared to 14.5 million cows.

"The total number of goat-keeping households was 3.3 million constituting 48.8%," Reads part of the report. The report further says that 94.5% of goats reared are under the indigenous system while 1.8% are reared under the exotic system.

"74.2% of the total goat population are adults, 24.0% were he goats while 76.0% were she-goats. The report indicates that the Busoga region rears more goats at 29.3% followed by Western with 25.0% and the Karamoja region has 4.5% of goat rearing.

The UBOS report shows that most cattle are reared in the Karamoja region but large scale are indigenous in nature.

" 77% of total cattle population are indigenous while 23% are exotic," reveals the report. It adds that bull cattle is 18.2% while cows are 44.3%. The report adds that 3.72 billion liters are produced per year across the Country.

The report shows a total of 1.9 cows are milked of which 1.2 cows are indigenous and 0.7 are exotic. "Western Region produced the highest volume of milk constituting 44.0% followed by Central with 32.2%," Says the report.

According to the report, pig rearing has also increased from 3.2 million in 2008 to 7.1 million in 2021. The western Region rears more pigs in Uganda and is followed by the Central.

Hon Rwamirama in his speech says the statistics will help in the allocation of veterinary services and distribution of drugs.

He says Ugandans should now focus on the exotic than the indigenous. "Beginning next year, the government will start giving out free foot and mouth medication to all farmers," he says adding that the distribution will be based on this data.

The Executive Director of UBOs Dr Chris Mukiza says that the overall objective of the National Livestock Census was to have information on the structure and organization of the livestock in Uganda.

"The report contains information about the population of cattle, goats, sheep, pigs, poultry, rabbits, and pack animals region by region," Says Dr Mukiza adding that milk and honey production are also included.

He adds that the report intends to provide data to government, local authorities, researchers, and academia to aid planning and decision-making processes.

The Mukiza says the results were delayed because it was conducted during COVID-19 and were paper questionnaires, not digital ones.