Goat grower adds value with ICLF system and forage for animal feed

Luciano de Oliveira Souza grows goats and cows for dairy production, in Sumé city, in Paraiba state, Brazil, and is one of the farmers assisted by AgroNordeste program in the last two years.

The initiative aims to support small producers in the regions North and Northeast for adoption of more effective and sustainable technologies in their activities.

In 2020, Luciano received technical assistance from Embrapa to insert a “Forage Menu” in animal feeding and implement the Integrated Crop-Livestock-Forest System (ICLF).

According to him, since then, the use of new technologies has enabled gains in productivity and more income.

“Without much knowledge, until 2019, I grew up animals inefficiently. I had not paid attention on nutrition and sanity. The result was loss of animals and low productivity,” he recalls.

Luciano explains that reduced costs on concentrate including forage plants in the silage, among other advantages. “We increased nutritional gain, quality and quantity of milk. This decision generated income increasing. I am very satisfied”, he says.

Land usage

In order to improve land use and sustainability for goat breeding, the farmer is implementing ILPF system on his property, starting with different production systems.

“In 100 meters wide, we use 15 meters with buffalo grass and 15 meters long with native vegetation. In this space, we give the goats good pasture, water and shade. As a result, we have quality animals at a low cost and using an environmentally correct form of production.”

The grower said he intends to expand the herd of goats by the end of this year with the new technologies.

AgroNordeste

The AgroNordeste Plan was launched by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (Mapa) in 2019 to improve economic, social and sustainable development in Northeast Region and the north of Minas Gerais and Espírito Santo.

With the support of an important network of partners, the program combines actions aimed at strengthening production chains, expanding the potential for success of family farmers in the semi-arid zone, in 16 territories.