Research and Training Strategies for Goat Production Systems in ...

FOREWORD
Research and Training Strategies for Goat Production Systems in South Africa
The aim of the workshop was:
To improve capacity for training and research in South Africa and facilitate networking with
the University of Queensland.
The objectives of the Workshop were to:
1. Identify and prioritise the matrix of problems related to goat production which needs to
be researched.
2. Identify areas of expertise relevant to the solution of problems.
3. Define research objectives and initiate collaborative networks,
4. Identify tertiary curriculum objectives and components needed for the training of
graduates working in areas where goats are a prominent component of animal
agriculture.
Project Background
The aim of the project is to initiate an institutional development programme to promote
agricultural transformation in the rural communities of arid/semi-arid South Africa through
university level training and research. This programme will concentrate on:
1. Staff training
2. Curriculum development
3. Enhancing skills in specific areas such as agricultural research with a focus on rural
community needs.
4. Facilitating staff and student exchanges between universities in the network.
These objectives will support development of the Universities of Pretoria, The North and
Fort Hare, and encourage links between them so that they can more productively manage
their contribution to the Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP). The desired
outcome is the development of productive and sustainable farming systems for the arid and
semi-arid lands of South Africa, and thereby to improve the standard of living of all
members of the rural communities through productivity, growth and equity.
The conduct of short courses and workshops is part of the on-going activities. A series of
eight have been designed, of which the goat workshop is one and will form the basis of
continuing collaboration between the South African universities and the University of
Queensland.
Goat Production Workshop
The workshop on Goat Production was developed by Prof Pierre Cronje (University of
Pretoria), with the assistance of Dr Barry Norton (University of Queensland). The
programme included Dr B.J. Restall (Honorary Consultant, UQ) from Australia, Prof Jan
Raats (University of Fort Hare), Prof Lindela Ndlovu (University of the North) and
representatives of various provincial Departments of Agriculture, the Universities of the
Free State, Pretoria, Rhodes and Medical University of South Africa Veterinary Faculty,
Agricultural Research Council and Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (Textek).
iii