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Heifer CEO Pierre Ferrari in Padampur, Nepal with a family that belongs to the Heifer project cooperative and are beneficiaries of a goat project there. Photo by Geoff Oliver Bugbee. |
Throughout his travels, Pierre tweeted about the ways goats can greatly improve the lives of Heifer project participants. We thought you might enjoy this list of his tweets:
Nepal: Goat power: placing this amazing small ruminant in well prepared farming families can produce startling results. Know why?
1-Goat programs set a rapid and meaningful stage for the deepening of community bonds through Passing on the Gift. Marvelous
2-Eliminating imports will improve animal health, improve humane treatment of animals
3-Nepal imports close to a million goats a year! Major import substitution oppty for farmers
4-Goat marketing /selling much simpler and quicker than vegetable selling.
5-Goats on the hoof are non-perishable unlike fruits and vegetable reducing marketing risks
6-Breeds have been optimized over years limiting losses and improved conversion rate of fodder to weight
7-Goats r savings available for immediate cash in an emergency
8-Goat farming can be managed collectively improving efficiency
9-Goat waste useful as fertilizer and soil improver
10-Rupee return per hr work is much higher than veggie farming
11-Animal based foods excellent nutrition very compete and bio available
12-Water usage is moderate
13-Oppressed groups, displaced ethnic groups find quick lifts and pride
14-Taking care of goats is a gateway to establishing gender equity in couples
15-Cultural acceptability of goat raising
16-Fodder can be grown in marginal pieces of land not displacing food for humans
17-They thrive in pens which is ideal for very small holder farmers
18-They multiply up to 6 kids a year!
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