Time Period
Long Term (7-24 months)
Project Name
Small Business Development and Genetic Upgrade Project: Muscovy Ducks
Lead Agency Description
Livestock Industry Working Group Revive the Muscovy Ducks existence in Vanuatu by sourcing fertile eggs from either Fiji or New Zealand and establish three breeder farms using existing farms on Santo and Efate to supply the progeny to farmers. Each breeder farms would get 2 females and 1 male for breeding and over time establish isolated flocks with the exchange of breeding males to ensure upgrading on a regular basis. The existing stock of Muscovy ducks in the country have become inbred and quite small hence the need to upgrade the breeding stocks. Muscovy ducks do not have high water requirements compared to other duck breeds and produce a low fat meat ratio making them suitable for the communities in Vanuatu. Also, they do not require high nutritional levels and thrive on a local diet and are easy to manage.
Partners Summary Budget Funding Gap Time Period Contact
This could be an alternative income generation activity for families in areas where the cyclone has badly damaged the coconuts and the farmers are unable to move back to their traditional pig farming. Department of Livestock/ VARTC/Yo Ku Farm/Pepe’s Farm 6, 650,000 vatu Long Term: 1-36 months Carolyn Ernst (LIWG chairperson) ernst@vanuatu.com.vu
Project Name
Small Business Development Genetic Upgrade Project: Sheep
Lead Agency Description
Livestock Industry Working Group Import genetics to improve breeding and availability of breeding stock to the smallholder farmers. Imported genetics will be raised on 2 existing sheep properties and distributed to smallholder farmers. This would also require provision of materials to construct small yards and housing. Sheep would make a great small economic development project for the small farmers. They are very easy to manage and are browsers, which do not require expensive pastures and fencing. Also, the tropical breeds of sheep have hair and shed their fleece so they do not
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