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Current page: Home > what we do > income generation > milk Watch our film on food production Milk Production Our goat improvement programme is one way we can help boost a communities' income generating potential, as well as their health. We have provided one community in each region where we work with a pair of 75% Toggenberg goats. Toggenbergs are dairy goats with a high milk yield, although they are not particularly well adapted to the local environment, preferring cooler conditions. Cross-breeding creates hardy offspring with four times the milk yield of local goats.
One self-help group in an area takes ownership of the goats – building their own goat pen and looking after the feeding and vet fees – funded by studding out the male. The goats are improved by breeding with each other and impregnating local goats – which take 3 generations to become 75% Toggenberg themselves. The design of the programme is ingenious – the first three offspring from the Toggenbergs have to be given to other interested communities so they can set up their own scheme. This not only makes the project sustainable – but ensures expansion throughout interested communities. Apart from goat rotation and the passing on the knowledge of correct genetic management, Excellent’s investment stops there. This sums up the philosophy of Excellent Development’s work in food production – helping farmers to create their own sustainable food security. Watch our film on food production
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