The Interdisciplinary Aspects of Organic Goat Production

Under Smallholder Farmers in the Philippines

Edwin L. Alcantara
PhD Student in Animal Science

A Discussion Paper in ANSC 291 - Special Problems (Organic Livestock Farming)

Animal and Dairy Sciences Cluster, College of Agriculture,
University of the Philippines, Los Banos, Laguna

Summary

The use of few inputs and grazing based management in smallholder goat farming makes it
congruent to organic goat farming. Its sustainability seems evident as they use the extensive
methods in which it considers the size and the feed availability in the farm of their decisions of
how much goats to kept. Feeding is purely forage-based using the farm-sourced vegetation. Goat
farming provides additional income to smallholder farmers engaged in it. It serves as insurance
for any urgency of money – a risk reduction strategy that strengthens the smallholder farmers’
ability to respond to food insecurity. Goat being raised naturally in the farms, plains, hilly tracts
is perceived by consumers as healthy to consume and therefore command price premium. The
raising of goat under organic system requires plant diversification to allow goats to graze and
exercise their normal feeding behavior which promote soil cycling as manures are distrusted
directly to the farm. There are still lots of areas in the goat production systems of smallholder
farmers that need harmonization with the organic standards if a total shift to organic goat
production is desired.
Keywords: smallholder, production systems, sustainability, environment, food security, food
safety.

Introduction 2016). Nevertheless, many smallholder

Goat production industry in the
Philippines is considered a sunrise industry
dominated by backyard raisers (PCAARRD,
2016). Goat inventory in 2016 (Figure 1)
shows that 98.57% of the population in the
Philippines is under smallholder
management. The population of goat in the
Philippines is quite small compared to goat
population in other ASEAN countries. This
is attributed to two-basic factors – high
slaughter rate and low productivity which
stems from farmers’ limited knowledge on
improved management practices and lack of
access to quality breeders (PCAARRD,
farmers engaged in goat farming because of
its competitive advantages: requires low
investment capital, minimal labor
requirement, ability to utilize fodder, source
of meat and milk, prolificacy. Farmers see
goats as a source of income, security, credit,
prestige, food, manure and apprenticeship
for young children (Oseguera, et al 2014).
Halal goat products can also be a niche
market for Muslim people in the country
(PCAARRD, 2016). Goat especially
indigenous breeds are widespread and
important to subsistence, economic and
social livelihood of large human population
in the developing countries (Kosgey, 2007).

1
These animals have lower feed and capital
requirement than larger species making
them suited to smallholder producers
(Devendra, 2002).
Table 1. Philippine goat inventory as of
July, 2016.
Source: Countrystat
Livestock production especially
ruminants, are an important part of organic
farming systems because of their role in
closing the nutrient cycles in the farm (FAO,
2015). They are able to convert organic
matter which cannot be used by humans,
allowing them to utilize land which cannot
otherwise be used. Livestock requires
variety of forage crops and therefore allows
for plant diversification necessary in
maintaining balance in the farms (OCCP,
2003). Smallholder farmers integrate
fodders and trees in their farms without
sacrificing main crops to provide forage for
their animals thus increase farm income.
Farmer in rural villages are
characterized by smallholders (about 80% of
the households) who use less external
inputs in terms of allopathic medicines and
antibiotics and follow forage-based
production systems. In many ways, they are
thus closer to organic farming systems,
though largely by default. However, a lack
of appropriate agro-ecological knowledge
means that they fail to gain most of the
environmental, social and economic benefits
of organic management, which translate into
ecological intensification (Chander et al,
2011). Livestock keeping is critical for
many of the poor in the developing world,
often contributing to multiple livelihood
objectives and offering pathways out of
poverty. There is great potential for goat to
contribute more to livelihoods of people in
low-input, smallholder production systems
(Kosgey, 2007). Livestock keeping also
affects an indispensable asset of the poor,
their human capital, through its impact on
their own nutrition and health (Randolph et
al, 2007) and (Smith et al, 2013). These
smallholder farmers are often not financially
well off so that they instead engaged in a
low-cost animal production systems like
goat farming to augment incomes.
Objectives
Organic goat farming can generally
be classified as sustainable goat farming.
This type of goat farming is, in fact can
contribute to the enhancement of
sustainability. Organic goat farming and
sustainable goat production share common
concepts in protecting environment,
producing healthy food, contributing to food
sufficiency as well as uplifting social status
of smallholder organic goat farmers through
higher income.
Practices in organic goat farming
must enhance the natural environment and
health of the flock, support profitability and
improve the quality of life for smallholder
farmers and their communities (Mattews and
Alvez, 2016). The benefits they offer
include environmental preservation,
protection of human health, sustaining
vibrant communities and upholding animal
welfare (GCF, 2016). In other words, the
impacts of smallholder organic goat farming
could be measured in much the same way as
measuring sustainability that is in terms of
its three dimensions: the environment, social
and economic sustainability (Scialabba,
2015).
2
 To assess the potential contribution
of smallholder organic goat farming to
sustainable rural development, we need to
understand (1) the environmental benefits
and (2) the yield potential, as well as (3) its
impact on their livelihood (4) its
accessibility (Seufert, 2012). Specifically,
the premises perceived to be useful in
looking at the collective impact of organic
goat farming are to the smallholder farmers
are:
1) organic goat farming to
help smallholder farmers; Figure 1. Interdisciplinary aspects of organic
livestock farming.
2) organic goat farming to
promote food safety;
3) organic goat farming to
protect the environment; The gaps between the accepted
4) organic goat farming and organic goat farming standards and the
food security; and smallholder’s goat production systems are
5) organic goat farming and given emphasis in the discussion of this
sustainable rural paper so that possible interventions to ease
development. these gaps are suggested in the latter part.

Figure 2. The paradigm conceptual framework.

3

The aims of this paper are:
1) discuss the sustainability of
smallholder organic goat
production system;
2) Cite the contributions of
organic goat farming to the
attainment of food security
among smallholder farm
families.
3) Evaluate the food safety
aspects of production and
pin point some of its
limitations and recommend
remedies to protect both the
life of human and animals;
4) Identify the impacts to
environment by smallholder
goat farming; and
5) Examine the distinction and
commonalities of the present
smallholder goat farming
system and organic livestock
farming given the Philippine
National Standards of
Organic Certification Center
of the Philippines.
Materials and Methods
The methodology involved the
collection of available related paper and
studies, to include scientific publications and
journals. Quantitative data from archives
and data bases are used in the analysis and
presentation of information.
Interdisciplinary Impacts of Organic
Goat Production
Sustainability of organic goat farming
The definition of sustainability is
vague and ambiguous so that there could be
no exact measure to assess it. It is
impossible to develop a “one size fits all”
design that will explain the viability of a
certain production systems in smallholder
organic goat farming. Attempting to arrive
at a more precise operational definition of
sustainable agriculture is problematic
(Caceres, 2001). Sustainability of production
means maintaining its productivity and
usefulness to society over the long run. …it
must be environmentally-sound, resource-
conserving, economically viable and
socially supportive, commercially
competitive, and environmentally sound
(Ikerd, 1993). Sustainability of organic goat
production can be measured in terms of
three pillars of sustainability: economic,
social and environmental aspects.
Sustainability can be assessed in
different dimensions. The assessment of the
sustainability of the smallholder organic
goat production systems focuses on three
dimensions—the economic, social and
environmental. The economic and social
dimensions encompass income from
production, livelihood and equity issues for
producers, markets and demands for organic
goat products. The environmental dimension
considers the more efficient use of scarce
land, water and nutrients and minimizing the
production of greenhouse gases,
environmental pollutants and disease risk.
Organic goat farming and food security
Food security as described by FAO
exists when all people, at all times, have
physical, social and economic access to
sufficient, safe and nutritious food which
meets their dietary needs and food
preferences for an active and healthy life.
USDA described it in a limited form as
access by all people at all times to enough
food for active, healthy supply and use of
food.
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 The degree of attainment of food
security by small holder organic goat farmer
is based on how they enjoy its four pillars:
food availability, access and utilization or
adequacy and stability (Capone et al, 2014).
Availability relates to the supply of food
through production, distribution and
exchange, while access affordability and
allocation of food as well as the preferences
of individuals and households (Gregory et
al, 2005). Food utilization is the quality and
quantity of food that reaches to household
(Ecker and Breisinger, 2012).
Organic agriculture often leads to
higher prices and hence a better income for
the farmers, so it should be promoted (FAO,
2007). Organic goat farming could directly
contribute to the farmers’ food security by
transforming vegetation from non-arable dry
lands, crop residues, by-products from food
processing and organic waste into human
food that is of high nutrient density and
nutritional quality. It appears that one
important path towards poverty reduction is
through rural development by way of
agriculture (Borras, et al 2011). Low-cost
organic livestock farming can be a tool for
smallholder poverty alleviation among
smallholder farms in rural areas (Bondoc,
2014).
Organic goat farming can contribute
indirectly to food security among
smallholder goat farmers by increasing crop
output through providing manure, which is
valuable source of organic plant nutrients
and reduces the need for chemical fertilizers.
Organic goat farming can provide additional
income to the farmer aside from the benefits
they could get from farm diversification
hence strengthen their ability to purchase
their food. Farm diversification with the
integration of goat as a low-cost animal
production will provide smallholder farmers
a sustainable source of food and make their
income stable and permanent. However,
there is no mature technology yet that would
ensure the productivity of goats under
organic management as what sustainable
livestock farming does. This gives
justification for using synthetic supplements
and antibiotics under organic production
when life of the animal is at stake.
Agricultural and ecological scientists and
international agriculture experts revealed the
opinion that organic farming would not only
increase the world’s food supply, but might
be the only way to eradicate hunger
(Halweil, 2006). In the world’s poorer
nations where most of the world’s hungry
live, and where conventional agriculture’s
expensive inputs are not affordable by the
majority of farmers, adopting an a low cost
organic livestock farming actually increases
yields and could be an important part of
increased productivity.
Organic livestock farming to promote food
safety
Food safety in organic agriculture is
a scientific discipline involving handling,
preparation, and storage of food in ways that
prevent foodborne illness. It encompasses
processes as food hygiene, food additives,
chemical residues, as well as policies on
biotechnology and for export products,
certification process and conformance to
standards.
Consumers perceived organic
products to be healthier than conventional
(Magnusson et al, 2003). This assumption is
justified by the avoidance of the application
of pesticides which leaves toxic residues in
food products. Organically grown animals
like organic goats are afforded with
husbandry practices that promote animal
welfare and are allowed to practice their
natural behavior so that as a result, reduce
stress which consequently reduce shedding
of pathogens.
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 Organic goat management which is
forage-based grazing results in the
production of milk containing improved
linoleic acid, α-tocopherol and octadecenoic
acid (Bergamo et al, 2003), which are heart-
healthy fatty acids. Harper et al, 2002
identified the consumers’ perception toward
organic food:
• Food content. Organic food is food that
contains no pesticides, hormones and
GM ingredients.
• Food production method. Organic food
is produced naturally, is home‐grown
food, and environmentally friendly.
• Food values. Organic food is healthful
and safe.
• Organic food and social class. Organic
food is for higher socio‐economic
classes.
While most consumers and scientists
believed that organic are healthier than
conventional in some aspects, there are still
debates as to whether organic meat products
are safer than conventional meat products.
For instance, food safety from humanely
grown animal is still being questioned as
providing a range to animals to exercise
their natural behavior would expose them to
predatory animals and diseases (Norwood,
2013). Relatively small goats for example
may suffer from butting of large ones when
competing in healthy grasses creating stress
or even injury. A happy doe given freedom
to roam around would be more vulnerable to
getting in contact with disease contaminated
feces of the herd mates turning her sick
animal.
The restriction of allopathic
medicines as prevention to some extent will
put the lives of animals in compromise.
Vaccination for example is necessary when
an outbreak of contagious and zoonotic
diseases are foreseen.
Organic goat production depends on
nutritious forage and resistant breeds as key
to defense against disease coupled with
observance of animal welfare. Whether
animals are carriers of disease or not, the
point is that these pathogens are most likely
less resistant to medicines.
Organic goat farming to help the
smallholder farmer
Goat provides livelihood to about 15
million Filipinos. Its low-investment capital
makes it an attractive undertaking among
rural farm households and a sound option to
augment the country’s programmes on
livelihood development (Villar, 2008). Goat
production in the Philippines is dominated
by backyard farmers producing more than
97% of country’s total volume of goat
production (Countrystat, 2015). Smallholder
farmers engaged in grazing-based (natural)
goat farming because it requires a low start-
up costs, minimal labor requirements, ability
of the animal for brush control and multi-
grazing species, higher reproduction rate and
they can be raised by women or even
children in the backyards. Doe can give birth
three times every two years (Okpebholo and
Kahan, 2007) where twins are more
frequent.
Although there is a rising demand for
organic goat in the country, especially halal
products which can be a niche market for
Muslim people in the country, smallholder
farmers fails to gain the economic advantage
of marketing their products as they are not
able to benefit the price premiums the
consumers are willing to pay for naturally
grown products (Chander, 2011). For
example, small organic goat farm cannot
immediately expand their farm output to
take advantage of higher price because of
problems in accessing services and credit. If
6
production requires mechanization small
farmers are always at a disadvantage (Thapa
and Gaiha, 2011). To avoid smallholder
farmers from being vulnerable to shocks
they should continue to biodiverse their
farming activities in a productive manner.
Small farmers must be competitive and
responsive to market demands the organic
products offers by complying the standards
of food safety and quality. It is difficult for
smallholders to compete with commercial
producers, especially when demands for
improved management and biosecurity are
enforced. There is growing urban niche
market for traditional products, which
should derive from the more rustic breeds
where price are at times much higher than
the conventional (Briones and Felipe, 2013).
Smallholder goat farmers could take
advantage of such a value chain and increase
their income per animal. The key lies on the
distinct quality of the goat products they
bring in the market.
If smallholder goat farmers are really
to take a share in the market supply of
organic goat, they need to organize into a
group. This will lessen their burden of
getting organic certification. Exchange of
information and technologies among farmers
could be a more effective means of organic
technology dissemination. They may also
enter into contract-growing scheme with
commercial organic farms. With this system,
the certification, processing and traceability
of goat products is no longer a problem.
Sustainable organic goat
management practices and breeding of
adapted goats may play an important role in
attaining quality meats. Integration of tree
legumes could help sustain feed supply
during drought and turn animals healthier.
Good genetics as prolific, ability to convert
fodders into meat, increased milk yield and
low-fat are insurance of greater income.
Organic goat farming to protect the
environment
In a healthy farm system, agriculture
works in harmony with the environment.
Soils are kept in balance by taking back
what the animals were taken out in the form
of manure. Organic goat farming under
smallholder farms is perceived to protect the
environment. Farm diversification is
common, since each household has to plant
different crops and vegetables or even trees
to augment their needs for cereals,
vegetable, fruits and feeds. This type of
agriculture is actually common among
village dwellers.
Legumes can be important in organic
goat farming systems. It is attributed to their
abilities to nitrogen fixation, increased
fertility and stability and capacity for
recycling (Peoples et al, 1995). Legumes are
the main source of protein in forage-based
goat farming.
Technologies like Sloping
Agricultural Land Technology (SALT)
introduced to local farmers in Davao del
Sur by Mindanao Baptist Rural Life Center
(MBRLC) helps control soil erosion,
increased goat productivity and increase
crop yields. Basically, SALT utilizes
nitrogen-fixing trees as soil binder,
fertilizer generator, and goat feed source
(Watson H. R., 1995).
Sustainability and organic livestock
modeling assessment (SOL-m) results
suggest that a continued trend of current
livestock husbandry practices will most
likely lead to problematic trends for most
environmental indicators, undermining the
very base of food production. On the other
hand, a conversion to low concentrate feed
livestock production will generate great
synergies between food availability and
environmental health (Schander et al, 2003).
This is the premise the smallholder organic
7
goat farming stands and is the cornerstone in
attaining environmental sustainability.
Discussion
The paper sought to discuss the
overall impacts of smallholder organic and
sustainable goat production practices such as
goat husbandry, nutrition and health, breeds
and breeding and animal welfare taking into
account the existing standards of organic
livestock production. Shortfalls in the
smallholder goat production practices from
the standards of organic livestock farming
are dealt objectively.
Smallholder organic goat farm
management
The Organic Certification Center of
the Philippines Standards for Organic
Agriculture and Processing (OCCP-PNS)
requires that management techniques in
animal husbandry should be governed by the
physiological and basic ethological needs of
the farm animals. This means that goats
should be allowed to exercise their basic
needs and that the management techniques
should be directed at the good health of the
animals. To comply this provision,
smallholder farmers should provide
sufficient space, protection against
inclement weather and predators and
sufficient access to water and feeds based on
the animals’ physiological needs. The
maximum number of goats allowed to be
kept in a hectare of pasture should not
exceed to 170 kg N/ha/year animal
equivalent. This is theoretically equal to 30
native does per hectare, but the standard
only allows a maximum of 13 mature goats
per hectare of pasture. Table 2 shows the
comparisons of organic goat management
system and smallholder or backyard goat
farming.
Husbandry practices in smallholder
goat farming are most likely closer to
organic because animals are feed through
open-range grazing. A shed made of light
materials are usually provided to protect
their animals from inclement weather and as
resting place at night. Common variations
from organic practices are the tethering of
animals because of the inability of poor
farmers to provide fence and paddock
divisions for rotational grazing and the tying
of the animal to a corner of the animal shed
at night. Contamination of pesticides and
other chemicals to grasses is another issue
that needs monitoring.

Table 2. Goat farm management systems in organic and smallholder goat farming

Management practices Organic goat farming Smallholder goat farming

The environment of the Allows for sufficient free movement,
farm sufficient fresh air and natural daylight
Protects goats from excessive sunlight,
temperatures, rain, and wind
Goats are kept in open range with tall
trees and shades, while others are
tethered during the day
No established pasture is used for grazing

Sufficient lying and resting area
according to the needs of the goats
There is ample access to fresh water
and feeds according to physiological
needs of the goats
Goats are allowed to take shade from
trees or from traditional weather shed to
protect animals from rain and excessive
sunlight
Goats drink from creeks and rivers some
are given fresh water using water troughs

8
Housing It may be made from traditional
provided it does not affect the welfare
of the animal
A structure to limit goats to access the
grazing site is installed (paddocks
divisions)
Housing should provide comfort to
goat. It should have elevated floors
with partly concrete flooring.
Goat sheds are made from light
materials with elevated slatted floors,
Other farmers tie their goats
individually inside the shed during
night time.
No concrete flooring is used
Usually constructed in elevated or
well-drained area

Building materials used should not

contain toxic substance
Grazing management Utilize rotational grazing
Divides pasture into several paddocks
Pasture grasses are establish to
provide sufficient feeds for the goats
Nomadic mode of livestock grazing
may be practiced
Mutilations Not allowed in organic goat farming
except when such a practice will
promote their welfare (e.g.) hoof
trimming and dehorning
Range are used as an all-season
grazing area
Tethering in the range is
predominantly practiced
Pasture establishment is not practiced
Grazing in the hilly and mountainous
areas and non-arable fields is common
Hoof trimming is practiced by some
farmers.
Mutilation is generally not practiced.

Farmers may be convinced to adapt a fully
organic goat management especially if they
perceived the economic and social impact of
this type of production system. Concerned
authorities could extend their services to
settle the lapses in the production
management of small farmers from the
yardstick of organic livestock farming.
Other constraints are the access of
farmers to land and the sustainability of feed
supply. Those farmers having a piece of land
in rural and hinterlands may not qualify in
organic goat because of the requirement for
grazing area. Feed availability during
draught could be a problem. Integration of
forest and tree legumes could be the best
solution to sustain feed supply for these
animals and since these farmers owns only a
small herd, feeding their goats through cut-
and-carry method is more practical.
Nutrition, and feeds and feeding
Organic goats receive their
nutritional needs from organic forage and
feed of good quality (IFOAM, 2003). They
should receive balance diets according to
their specific nutritional needs and should
not be fed a diet that consists entirely of
silage and concentrates. In smallholder goat
farming system, goats are given the
opportunity to browse feeds in their own
preference. Because goats are selective
grazer, higher diversity of plants in the farm

9
means greater opportunity for the goats to
meet their nutritional needs. Organic
livestock farming requires that the diet of
animal shall be balanced according to the
nutritional needs of the animals and as much
as possible should come from the farm itself.
Synthetic growth promoters, appetizers,
artificial coloring, urea, farm animal by-
products, droppings, feed subjected to
solvent extraction and GMOs are prohibited
especially in ruminants. Organic goats
should as much as possible receive 100%
organically produced forage-based feeds.
Although smallholder goat farmers
do not use synthetic feeds nor GMO’s as
feed, the integrity of available roughages fed
to goats are still controversial since they are
not subjected to analysis or evaluation
process. It is a typical practice that goats are
let lose in the forage area and goats make
their choice out of the available species.
Whether feeding practices conforms to that
of organic standards or not, one is for sure,
that is goats produced under smallholder
management received lesser residues from
chemicals and that only negligible amount
enters the system of the animal.
The type of feeds given to goats is
one contributory to the low-investment cost
in goat farming of smallholders and is the
major player in animal nutrition. The farmer
only needs to ensure that there is a year-
round availability of feed supply in the farm.
Poor nutrition is one of the major production
constraints in smallholder system
(Kobayashi, 2010). Organic goat farming
promotes diversification that could help
augment the feed availability. Forest tress
and tree legumes can be planted as
hedgerows and along farm boundaries to
provide buffer to feed availability. The most
feasible solution to address nutritional
constraints is an integrated application of
what is already known, rather than new
technology (Thornton, 2010).
The breed of animal should also be
taken into account under forage-based
management. While it is true that exotic
breeds are fast growers with higher finished
live weights than what local breeds are
capable, the latter are known to convert low-
grade type of feeds efficiently. They are also
known for their tolerance to stress brought
about by nutritional and environmental
factors. There are still lots of work to be
done in small ruminant nutrition under
organic settings. Dynamics of digestion and
performance can now be predicted in many
livestock species under conventional
management. But organic goat farming is a
different thing that needs separate
investigation.
Understanding of nutrition, eating
behavior and seasonal interaction can also
be beneficial to improve organic goat
production efficiency. Research into animal
behavior had provided that evidence of
animals’ motivations and their mental
capacities, which extension provides strong
support for the notion and animal sentience
(Carenzi, C., & Verga, M., 2009). Protein
supplementation can improve resistance and
boost immune system of goat. The
restrictive factors influencing the
productivity of the animals in organic
farming are as follows: limited concentrate
feeding, grazing systems with seasonal and
annual changes in roughage qualities due to
weather conditions and the prohibition of
preventive and allopathic veterinary
intervention (Rahmann, 2009).
Fortunately, some plant contains
secondary metabolites and essential oils that
offer positive effects in nourishing
beneficial microorganisms and suppressing
those unwanted thus enhance digestion
efficiency. Results from in vitro batch
culture studies provide evidence that
essential oil and their components have the
potential to improve nitrogen and/or energy
10
utilization in ruminants (Benchaar et al,
2008).
The ethical issue on green-house gas
(GHG) emissions is also one of the concerns
in animal nutrition. Measures to mitigate
GHG emissions include, use of antibiotics
like monensin, diet manipulation, use of
secondary plant metabolites and formate and
other naturally occurring compounds. The
use of antibiotics is of course, a violation to
organic standards. Manipulation of diet
could be an option but its requirement of
higher concentrate ratio in feeds to reduce
the methanogens population makes its
application limited. Organic goat farming
could therefore take advantage on the use of
secondary metabolites, formate and other
naturally occurring compounds. It is this
aspect of ruminant nutrition that needs
thorough investigation to give further
justification to the adaption of organic goat
farming. But significant amount of methane
is biodegraded in the soils, and this has been
underestimated due to lack of research.
Levine, et al (2011) and
Hellebrand and Herppich (2000) studies
show that the increase in temperature drive
up the rate of biological degradation of
methane by methylotropic bacteria and other
methanotrophic microorganisms. This could
explain why historical atmospheric methane
levels have been relatively stable, and also
why naturally produced atmospheric
methane levels may not increase as the
climate gets warmer (Leu, 2012). Many
studies of methane only calculate the
methane produced by the systems as a one
way output into the atmosphere which may
be true only to confined animal operations.
In natural production systems however, such
as grazing on grasslands, crop production on
biologically active soils, orchards and
forests, as these systems are based on cycles
that also degrade methane (Leu, 2012).
There is therefore flaw in the estimates of
GHG emissions attributed to enteric
methane.
Breeds and Breeding
Organic livestock farming promotes
the use of local breeds as they are adapted to
low-input type of management and are
tolerant to local circumstances. There is
strong evidence that breeds of sheep and
goats that are indigenous in the tropics have
much more to offer for smallholder farmers
than is often appreciated. Crossbreeding
with non-adapted breeds should be
discouraged for low-input smallholder
systems in the tropics, however
crossbreeding among indigenous tropically
adapted may be an option in some farming
systems (Baker and Gray, 2004). There are
however breeds that although not
autochthonous in a given region, are both
well adapted to local conditions and more
productive (Escribano, 2016). Experiences
and researches along this issue are crucial to
truly choose a breed that is not only adapted
to local conditions but also more productive
in terms of production and reproductive
traits.
Whether the breeds used in organic
goat farming are of local or exotic origins,
selective breeding must still be put in place
so that the goat breeds that best suit to the
objectives and needs of organic farming is
produced. Nauta et al (2001) define selective
breeding as “the aimed selection of parent
animals to produce a new generation which
can produce more efficiently than their
parents in the given production conditions
and economic, ecological and social-cultural
context. Having a clear breeding objective is
an important prerequisite to the development
of cost effective breeding strategies, and to
the identification of a set of traits making up
the selection criteria which contribute to
accurate prediction of traits affecting
commercial profitability (Amer et al, 2001).
11
 The selective breeding strategies that
are traditionally used include within breed
selection, between breed selection and
crossbreeding. The selection within breeds is
choosing animals with desirable traits and
eliminating those that failed in the selection
criteria. Selection of certain goat breed over
the other may bring an impressive
improvement in the herd on certain traits.
Some breed maybe productive in a given
agro-ecological conditions so that preference
maybe given to them. Most farmers adopt
crossbreeding strategy because of the
immediate improvement in the performance
of progenies. Farmers fail to realize that the
immediate improvement is just temporary
which could even worsen the breed
composition of the animals if not properly
planned.
In general, the goal in organic
livestock breeding is to maintain and
conserve livestock diversity. Indigenous
breeds should be preserved and promoted.
The organic goat breeding should develop a
breed with the following traits:
 a reasonable production level
on a low input level,
 adaption to local
circumstances,
 longevity,
 good health, and
 product quality.
Goat breeding objective should be
designed fitting to the needs of smallholder
farmers since they own the largest portion of
the goat industry in the country. Majority of
local farmers still kept native goats which
are basically poorer in performance
compared than their upgrades/crosses with
imported breeds (Bondoc, 2005). Farmers
must have reasons in their persistent use of
the same breed despite their poor
performance. One might be attributed to
non-complexity in management, that is
native animal only need simple feeding and
management. It might really their desire to
keep smaller breeds because they do not
have much resource to keep purebreds
which requires intensive feeding. Another
thing might be that native breeds are in
demand both in rural and urban markets
because of their size and special quality.
High juiciness, tenderness and general
acceptability scores in the Philippine Native
goats and upgrades provided the justification
to conserve native goat despite their lower
meat yield compared to purebred Anglo-
Nubian (Bondoc, 2005).
In the future, many developed
countries will see a continuing trend in
which livestock breeding focuses on other
attributes in addition to production and
productivity, such as product quality,
increasing animal welfare and reducing
environmental impact (Thornton, 2010). If
livestock farming is to contribute to
improving the livelihoods and meeting
market demands, the preservation of farm
animal genetic resources will be critical in
helping livestock adapt to climate change
and the changes that may occur in these
systems, such as shifts in disease prevalence
and security (FAO, 2007). While transfer of
animal germplasm and genetic stock across
countries is at present largely unrestricted,
the government’s aggressive importation
policy in the long term may just contribute
to future problems of reduced genetic
diversity (Bondoc, 2005). Genetic diversity
will ensure the sources of genetic material
for future breeding trend and smallholder
farmer can be stewards of this genetic
diversity (Bondoc, 2014).
Animal Health and welfare
The international Federation of
Organic Agriculture Movement (IFOAM)
requires that organic agriculture should
sustain and enhance the health of the soil,
12
plant, animal, human and planet as one and
indivisible. It points out that the health of
individuals and communities cannot be
separated from health of ecosystems –
healthy soils produce healthy crops that
foster the health of animals and people. The
principle suggests that the healthy inputs and
management being afforded to the
environment and plants are translated into
healthy animals and human beings. What we
give is what we get, so we must protect and
be steward of our environment because all
of its production is for the well-being of
man.
Health is the wholeness and integrity
of living systems. It is not simply the
absence of illness, but the maintenance of
physical, mental, social and ecological well-
being (Luttikholt, 2007). Prevention against
disease is given emphasis rather than cure.
Animal integrity is attained by respecting
the physiological and ethological needs of
the animals. Allowing animals to exercise
their natural behavior will reduce stress and
improves vitality (Rostagno, 2009). Stress
increase incidence of diseases and suffering
animals as well as if the stress level is
chronic it will lead to death (Asres and
Amha, 2014). Giving balanced diets that is
according to their physiological needs and
nature boosts the immune system of the
animal.
RA 10631 provides the definitions of
animal welfare as pertaining to physical and
psychological well-being of the animals. It
includes, but not limited to, the avoidance of
abuse, maltreatment, cruelty and
exploitation of animals by humans by
maintaining appropriate standards of
accommodation, feeling and general care,
the prevention and treatment of disease and
assurance of freedom from fear, distress,
harassment, and unnecessary discomfort,
and allowing animals to express normal
behavior. Animals are considered as a
sentient being so they deserve freedom from
all forms of harm. The above definition
reflects the different types of freedom that
should be given to animals (FAWC, 2010)
namely:
 freedom from hunger;
 freedom from discomfort;
 freedom from pain, injury or
disease;
 freedom from fear and
distress; and
 freedom to express normal
behavior.
It seems that all of the freedoms
accorded to animals promote their integrity
and well-being and these make organic
livestock product more natural and healthy.
It is in this context that mutilations are
restricted in organic livestock farming.
Consideration is not only given to the
animal physiological state and integrity as
what the definition of animal welfare above
implies, but also on the environment that is
free from chemical, biological and physical
hazards is important in observing animal
welfare. The environment is the source of
feeds and other physiological needs of the
animal and therefore it affects their total
biological performance. Values centered
around the environment and animal welfare
are considered to be important (to
consumers preference), although their
impact on the health factor seems to be the
most significant motive for choosing organic
food (Makatouni, 2002).
It appears that animal health and
welfare are synergistic. Consumers believed
that goats must also be allowed to exhibit
natural behavior if they are to experience
high levels of well-being (Pricket, 2008).
Grazing management is a
management tool that do not just allow for a
sustainable supply of forage but also as
13
control of parasites by breaking their cycles.
Lower animal density will of course lessen
the accumulation of fecal matter which is
the major contaminants of parasites
It is important to note that factors
like location; (climate, environmental
conditions), susceptibility; (breed, age,
nutrition), and management; (grazing
management, stocking rates, pasture species,
soil health) affect parasitism (Coffey, 2015).
Local climates influence the prevalence of
pathogens. Higher humidity and moisture
permits multiplication of pathogens while
dry climate affects growth of plant
vegetation.
Native or local breeds are known to
be resistant to parasites, while kids are more
vulnerable to parasites than older goats.
Parasite infestation in goats maybe treated
organically using plants with high amount of
condensed tannins and saponins. Organic
dewormers like Makahiya-caimito-
Makabuhay (Mixture of extracts from
Mimosa pudica, Chrysophyllum cainito and
Tinospora rumphii) is already developed
(PCAARRD, 2016). Juice from young
pineapple fruit at recommended amount is
also proven by some farmers in Masbate to
be effective in controlling helminths of
young ruminants.
Some plants especially when wet
harbor parasites while it is worthy to note
tanniferous plants suppress parasites and
other harmful microorganisms. Organic
farmers should also get rid of some toxic
plants as pasture favors for their growth.
Plants like hagonoy (Chromolaena odorata),
kantutay (Lantana camara), and gmilina tree
(Gmelina arborea), and other high-alkaloid
containing plants need to be removed.
Marketing
Consumers play crucial role in
marketing of product hence farmers might
have felt that if there was wider awareness
about quality of organic produce in terms of
its taste and safety, there will be continuous
demand for the organic farmer’s produce.
Chevon from native breeds are more juicy
and tender than those meats of exotic breeds.
Native are just small in size with an average
of 20 kilogram live weight so that they
become in demand and affordable to average
earning families. A sure market is thus
assured in organic goat farming. However,
the distance of smallholder farms from
market outlets offering price premiums
serves as barrier to farmers from gaining
such advantage. In most cases the traders
gained bigger part of the profit margin from
sale of goats than farmer owners. To
increase the income of smallholder organic
goat farmers from, market outlet should be
brought closer to them. This can be made by
establishing auction markets to some
strategic places so that sellers and buyers
could come together to sell and buy
products.
Goat product development in terms
of packaging and preparation may also be
helpful as a value adding mechanism.
Reflecting the nature of goat meat products
in its packaging or providing such a
trademark of being naturally produced will
help promote to gain attention among
affluent and health conscious consumers.
The Animal Product Development Center
(APDC) have already developed goat meat
fabrication, preparation and preservation
techniques awaiting adaption.
But the most important factor
affecting demands for naturally produced
goat meat of smallholder farmers are the
organic certification and traceability of their
products especially when food safety scares
arises. Any agricultural products can only be
labeled organic when the farm it came from
and the processing involved conforms the
standard of the accredited certifying body
14
(Bondoc, 2016). Certification of products is
a long and tedious process which requires
capital and machineries which smallholder
farmers cannot afford. One option to
enhance markets of goat products from
smallholder is through contracting with
establishments known to buy large volumes
goats and served costumers with chevon
delicacies. This strategy is practice in other
animal products. However, interruption of
goat product supply may occur due to
seasonal livestock growth pattern (Neeson,
2008).
The key to sustaining supply of goat
products from smallholder farmer is to
establish alliance among themselves.
Farmers’ alliance or cooperatives will help
create a strong market linkage and ensure
continuity of goat supply.
Smallholder farmers’ alliance can
apply for Participatory Guarantee System
(PGS) certification. It is a system of quality
assurance, not a system of production, where
the members are involved in peer-reviews of
each other’s operation. Sharing of
information between farmers and general
capability building are encouraged. The
farmers are directly involved in deciding the
standards to be adapted. Although the
practice and method of certification is
similar to that of the third party certified
organic production, the former do not
qualify for organic labels and exports.
Conclusion
The present production system of the
smallholder farmers seems sustainable as
they only kept lower number of does, about
3-4 depending on their farm sizes, just
enough to be fed with what is available in
their farm. Feeding is purely forage-based
using the farm-sourced vegetation to include
grasses, bushes, shrubs and trees. Goat
farming provides additional income to
smallholder farmers engaged in it. It serves
as insurance for any urgency of money – a
risk reduction strategy for vulnerable
communities. Goat being raised naturally in
the farms, plains, hilly tracts is perceived by
consumers as healthy to consume and
therefore command price premium. The
raising of goat under organic system
requires plant diversification to allow goats
to graze exercising their normal behavior
which promote soil cycling as manures are
distrusted directly to the farm. There are lots
of areas in the goat production systems of
smallholder that needs harmonization with
the organic standards if a total shift to
organic goat production is desired.
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