Research helps Lao goat producers to be more productive

Helping smallholder goat producers in Lao PDR to improve management and productivity was the focus of research co-authored by Charles Sturt University researcher Joanne Millar and published in 2022.

The results from a survey conducted with 70 goat-raising households in 2020 showed goats provided just under a third of household income and 40.6 per cent of total farm income, demonstrating how significant they have become to livelihoods. Disease, seasonal feed shortages and a lack of access to animal health services all impacted on productivity and income. Low-cost practices such as good housing, feeding quality forages, and avoiding inbreeding were suggested as improvements to allow families to increase goat numbers and economic returns.