Fifteen farmers’ groups in Zombo district have received improved male Mubende goats to support crossbreeding and enhance livestock productivity. The goats were delivered by officials from the National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO), who also supplied Super Napier grass cuttings and Mulato II (Brachiaria spp.) for establishment at a demonstration garden in Uwope Cell, Abira East Ward, Zombo town council. The team was led by John Etin, a research officer in charge of planning. Under the initiative, NARO trained the initial 15 beneficiaries under the Zombo Town Council Goat Farmers’ Group to pilot the project. Etin said similar interventions are being implemented in Nebbi, Pakwach, Madi-Okollo and Yumbe districts. He added that NARO plans to conduct demonstrations and adaptive trials across all parishes in West Nile. He explained that the Mubende goat genotype is being promoted due to its adaptability and desirable production traits. “NARO is promoting the Mubende goat breed because it is scientifically proven to be adaptable to conditions in West Nile and has unique traits compared to other goat genotypes. This is an opportunity for a community breeding programme where NARO builds the capacity of farmers who will receive this support,” Etin said. Dr Jimmy Pithua, a Zombo district official supervising the beneficiaries’ scheme, said the district will monitor the animals and provide technical guidance to ensure successful multiplication of the breed. “As a matter of fact, we received the bucks that were pledged in December 2025. I appeal to the farmers who received them to unite,” Pithua said. Farmers in Zombo district have traditionally reared local goat breeds using indigenous knowledge, often earning low returns. Officials say the intervention is expected to improve productivity, promote commercial goat farming and increase incomes from small landholdings. Denis Onega, a farmer from Ubimo Cell in Abira West Ward, Zombo town council, urged government to increase the number of Mubende bucks so that more farmers can benefit. The appeal was echoed by Michael Cwothembo, a resident of Awanya Cell in the same ward. Zombo district production officer Dr Walter Kumakech and agricultural officer Patrick Aneniu encouraged neighbouring farmers to take advantage of the improved breed to upgrade local goats through crossbreeding.The post Mubende goats introduced in Zombo appeared first on The Observer.