Abstract
The aim of the study was to assess small-scale farmers’ attitude and willingness to consume goat milk and its products. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 151 household farmers by using a 15% random sampling technique. Data were analysed using descriptive frequencies and chi-square tests to check for any association between the variables and farmers’ willingness to consume goat milk and its products. The results showed that a large share (41.78%) of the respondents do not consume goat milk. Taste (20.83%), cultural bias (8.33%), strong smell and natural dislike (64.58%) were some reasons why farmers do not consume goat milk. Some proportions (38.10%) of farmers were not aware of any nutritional benefits of goat milk. However, when these benefits were explained to them, a high percentage (93.10%) of these farmers indicated their willingness to consume goat milk and/or its products based on its nutritional benefits. Age, gender and educational status had a significant influence (P ≤ 0.05) on farmers’ willingness to consume goat milk and its products. The nutritional importance of goat milk and its products should be strongly promoted to improve the human diet in the study area.
Highlights
It has been projected that by the year 2020, the demand for animal products in developing countries will increase by 2.8% as a result of the rapid growth in human population, urbanization and income growth, which may potentially generate markets for livestock products (Delgado et al 1999)
Goat milk and goat milk products form a part of economic revenue as they are processed into yoghurt, butter, cheese, ice cream and other dairy products of high nutritional value for human consumption (Hayaloglu and Karagul-Yuceer 2011; Milani and Wendorff 2011)
Kefir, a local milk product made from goat milk is used as a functional food which is beneficial for human health (Thohari et al 2012)
Summary
It has been projected that by the year 2020, the demand for animal products in developing countries (in the global market) will increase by 2.8% as a result of the rapid growth in human population, urbanization and income growth, which may potentially generate markets for livestock products (Delgado et al 1999). Considering the human population growth trend, the emerging sub-sector in South Africa including goat production may benefit from this prospect. Most rural areas in developing countries raise indigenous goats on a large scale for meat, milk and skin among others (Bolacali et al 2017). Goat milk and goat milk products form a part of economic revenue as they are processed into yoghurt, butter, cheese, ice cream and other dairy products of high nutritional value for human consumption (Hayaloglu and Karagul-Yuceer 2011; Milani and Wendorff 2011).
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