The National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO) has trained West Nile Goat meat processors on public health and safety standards.
The three-day training that involved 25 goat meat processors from Koboko and Arua city took place at Abi Zonal Agricultural Research and Development (AbiZARDI) in Arua City.
The meat processors were trained by officials from NARO and Makerere University Department of Animal Science.
Dr Denis Asizua, the livestock production scientist at NARO, the lead facilitator said the training was prompted by the fact that West Nile is known for its unique goat meat products but with no specific attention on public health, cleanliness and marketing.
“We also want to see that the meat package that is being processed is up to the standards because our region is known for unique goat meat products commonly known as ‘Gire’. So, we want to build the capacity and to link them to the producers and the consumer while prioritising the public health aspects,” said Dr Asizua.
He said the environment in which meat is processed matters a lot to the consumers including the dress code of the processors, a reason they have distributed aprons to the trained meat processors.
Likewise, Dr Hanifah Kamatara, a lecturer at Makerere University’s Department of Animal Science said the training was timely as there is a great business potential in the processed goat meat business in the region that can be expounded with the basic public health tips.
Violet Nyakuru from LOWE’s Demo farm in Arua City said she has been doing many things in the business without considering public health concerns.
“We have been trained on how to process meat from the slaughterhouse to the plate. I did not know that the way we slaughter meat also affects its quality and I believe this alone is going to bring changes in our business. We were also taught how to keep our places clean,” said Nyakuru.
“I have learnt so many things that I was taking for granted and my place is expected to undergo tremendous transformation after this training and I am now going to look at this business differently”, testifies Alice Afekuru another processor.
The chairperson of the West Nile Goat Processing Association, Peter Jurua is optimistic that the training will help open more business opportunities in goat processing including the leather business.
“We hope the association will grow and promote the goat industry in this region and we also hope for the growth of goat farming in the entire region. I am hoping to propel the association to greater heights,” said Jurua.
