Can raising goats for milk be a viable opportunity for small crop-livestock integrated farms in Nile Delta, Egypt?

Abstract

Background: Egypt, the third most populous country in Africa, has intense land fragmentation in the Nile Delta, where the size of most farms is under half a hectare. Agriculture, which employs 30% of the population, is facing challenges from water scarcity and declining soil fertility. Large ruminants are harder to maintain due to rising feed costs, worsened by the 2016 devaluation and the ongoing Ukraine-Russia war. Aim: This study explored diversification strategies in small farms in the Nile Delta (Behera governorate), focusing on small ruminants as a potential economic alternative. Methods: The present study analyzed farming systems using the agrarian approach, gathering data through landscape observations and farmer interviews in 2023. A technical-economic analysis evaluated farm performance, and proposed exploring the economic benefits of integrating Egyptian Nubian (Zaraibi) goats. Four breeding scenarios to improve income were assessed, focusing on the type of reproduction and the prices of goat milk. Results: Introducing Egyptian Nubian goats could boost farm income by 28-54%, but high inflation, access to feed, and limited grazing land pose challenges. Conclusions: Improved crop residue utilization, veterinary care, and organized goat breeding are crucial. The goat milk market is currently underdeveloped, and farmers must collaborate to process and market their production effectively. Improved water management and access to credit are also essential for farm sustainability.