Empowering Small-Scale Goat Herders in Zimbabwe: The Story of Precocious

Overcoming Obstacles in Livelihood

Life as a small-scale female goat herder in Zimbabwe is fraught with challenges. For many women, including Precious Ncube, the struggle to provide for their families and improve their livelihoods often feels like an uphill battle considering the patriarchal communities they come from. With limited resources, unpredictable weather conditions, and the constant threat of disease to livestock, the prospects for change can seem daunting. Living in a rural community in Mangwe, Matabeleland South, she worked tirelessly to care for her small herd of goats, which were her family’s primary source of income. However, the goat breed she owned did have great market value due to the size and quality of meat that they produced, and her income remained low. The weight of her family’s needs and the lack of viable alternatives made her future appear uncertain.

Progress Through Partnership

In May 2023, Precious’ life took a transformative turn when she became a participant in GOAL’s livestock programme, funded by Irish Aid. This initiative, designed to empower small-scale goat herders, gave Precious an improved buck breed (Boer Goat) to enhance her herd. These goats were carefully selected for their quality of meat, size, and ability to thrive in Zimbabwe’s environment.

The improvements to Precious’s herd were remarkable. In just one year, Precious’s goat sired 11 kids, expanding the size of her herd. This new breed, sired by the Boer goat, produced more resilient and meatier offspring, significantly improving their market value. The improved genetic pool of her herd has performed Precious’s economic prospects and secured a brighter future for her family.

Empowered by this progress and driven to expand her economic opportunities further, Precocious hopes to replace her entire herd with the genetically superior breed by 2025, ensuring sustainable growth and long-term resilience for her family’s livelihood. With a newfound optimism for the future, Precocious expresses her gratitude for the support she received from GOAL.

“This assistance has transformed my life,” Precious shares. “I can now see a brighter future for my family, and I’m determined to keep growing.” Through the support of GOAL and Irish Aid, small-scale goat herders like Precious Ncube are turning their struggles into stories of hope and potential.

Through the support of GOAL and Irish Aid, small-scale goat herders like Precious Ncube are turning their challenges into powerful stories of hope and opportunity.

Learn more about GOAL’s work with Irish Aid