Goat population is population size reducing continuously beginning from 1990s.Actually Turkey has approximately 5.5 million head goat population of local breed that has low production capacity. Turkey goat population was given below table.


Goat population of Turkey
GOATS ORDINARY GOATS ANGORA
YIL-YEAR (baş- heads) (baş- heads)
1991 9 579 256 1 184 942
1995 8 397 000 714 000
2000 6 828 000 373 000
2001 6 676 000 346 000
2002 6 519 332 260 762
2003 6 516 088 255 587
2004 6 379 900 230 037
2005 6 284 498 232 966
2006 6 433 744 209 550
2007 6 095 292 191 066
2008 5 435 393 158 168
Source: TURKSTAT, The Results of Animal Production Statistics,2008




The Ministry of Environment and Forestry (MEF) wants to decrease goat population in near and inland forests in Turkey. For this aim, MEF has prepared different kinds of support provided to goat breeders. While some goat breeders accepted these supports the others could not accept these motivation facilities. Because nomadic people believe that goat production is a life style and would like to stick to traditional production systems.

The other important topic is that for the nomadic people producing some traditional animal products is important however, these products are not being produced under hygienic conditions therefore have no possibility of competing in real market conditions. Whereas goat milk production has high coast and some EU countries have supplied great income.

In Turkey, the structure of small ruminant production is traditional and the range of meat and milk products is very limited. Furthermore a big part of animal products which are produced by goat and sheep have been produced under primitive conditions. Animal breeders do not have enough information about effective and hygienic production techniques and there is not any milk collecting system. For this aim especially goat and sheep farmers have to be trained on effective production and hygienic animal products. In addition milk collecting system must be established for small farmers.

The other big problem is from a social and cultural perspective. Some nomadic people do not want to revert to the residential system. On the other hand, some specific tribes have very interesting life styles and culture which for cultural values should be conserved.
Currently goat activities of Turkey Ministry of Agriculture are some research projects. These projects are breeding of Kilis goat in Field Conditions and breeding of Angora goat in breeders conditions. These project process were being continued in field conditions which can be described more than 50 breeders whose have 10.000 head goat at least.

What are the strengths?

As known that Turkey is a one of the big goat population in Europe. Goat breeders want to breed going on although more legal and different kinds of problems. A mediterranean person of Turkey still likes goat meat and milk products. Turkey has good capacity for goat meat and milk producing and has big advantage for selling different kinds of goat products neighbour countries especially sell to Middle East countries. Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) is assessment some project in Turkey different region. Goat breeders were supported indirect methods by MoA. Turkey Sheep and Goat breeder Association was established but not still working effectively. On the other hand If this association support ıt will be motivate own member and stimulate to breeders for beneficial producing..

What are the challenges?

Turkey goat sector is very primitive and it has very big difficulties and problems. I can explain these problems such as legal situation, breeding problems, breeder problems, organisation problems, social problems, marketing problems and product range problems. The most important problem is Legal situation of goat breeder in Turkey. Goat breeders are under the big pressure of Ministry of Forestry and MoF is always force breeders to left goat breeding. Especially legal statute was used to pressure instrument for goat breeders by MoF. Mediterranean region of Turkey has very big nomadic tribe that breeds goat and this tribe has traditionally life style.
The other problem is goat products range is very limited. Goat milk products are being produced under non hygienic conditions in local area and it has sold in local small markets. Goat population is still huge but goat yields are very low. Some yield traits of native goat breeds must be improved. Goat breeders should be supported by government and private sector and breeder associations. Goat associations should be supported. MoA should be technical support to goat breeders and supplied animal health information.

The Current situation of IGA in Turkey is very poor. Because goat breeder and a big part of Goat organisations have no information about IGA. However, some researcher and some research centre and little part of University has got information but very limited. Time to time when I contact some goat breeders and president of Sheep and Goat breeders Association, I try to inform to them about IGA mission and the role of IGA in Goat production but this information only theoretical not in the practise for breeders and organisation. Members of Goat sector want to see tangible information and action for field condition. Especially for this information and advice should be include marketing and product range financial supporting systems. IGA facilities and mission must be introduced to Turkish breeders, goat organisations, government intuition and Universities. For this aim some workshop and conference and small training activities can be arranged in intensive goat breeding areas. In addition, it can be collaborated some goat organisation and government research institute. IGA can be developed new strategy and promote system for improving of IGA member and IGA efficiency. IGA member board relation is not effective between CR and other members. For instance time to time I sent some mail message IGA headquarter but I did not receive any answer. I sent several messages which is include new member form and I wrote in it small note which is in ‘’pls. sent me any information’’ but nobody answer me. My offer is IGA member board must be strength to connection and coordination between CR and member. In addition IGA Board can be create some promote and motıvated activities for CR and member. Due to motivate to CR and member IGA should be prepare some workshop or conference and invent to CR to this activities.