As the evening sun dipped behind the gentle hills of Entebbe in Uganda, a small herd of Jianzhou big-eared goats recently imported from China grazed quietly on fresh pasture, their distinctive floppy ears swaying gently in the breeze.

These are no ordinary goats — they are the latest addition to Uganda's drive to transform its livestock industry, in a bid to boost meat production, improve breeding stock, and strengthen the livelihoods of rural farmers.

Uganda has welcomed a new chapter in its agricultural modernization drive with the importation of nine Jianzhou big-eared goats, part of a broader South-South cooperation program aimed at enhancing livestock productivity and farmer incomes.

The goats — a crossbreed of British Nubian and local goats from Jianyang, Sichuan province in China — were procured through a partnership among China, the Ugandan government under the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

Known for their rapid growth, large body size and adaptability, the breed is expected to support Uganda's push to commercialize agriculture by increasing meat yields, introducing new breeding technologies, and expanding market opportunities.

Mutual benefit

"This is not a donor-recipient arrangement — it is mutual benefit," said Julius Twinamasiko, program coordinator for the Uganda-China agricultural cooperation. "We want to add superior livestock breeds that will help farmers earn more through meat, milk and trade. China gains investment and market ties, while Uganda gains technology, genetics and capacity building."

The introduction of these goats is expected to play a key role in tackling food insecurity and increasing meat production, especially in arid and semiarid parts of Uganda, where traditional cattle and goat herding has become increasingly difficult due to prolonged dry spells.

Twinamasiko said the project reflects growing agricultural ties between China and Uganda, underpinned by the principles of South-South cooperation. Chinese experts, he said, have provided technical guidance on breeding, disease control and pasture management of the new breed to Ugandan experts. "This is more than just a livestock project — it's a knowledge exchange."

The goats are being held in quarantine as part of research and breeding programs, including a proposal to use artificial insemination in the new breed of goats — a first for Uganda. The goal is to increase the number of these goats, cross them with indigenous kinds, and eventually give better stock to smallholder farmers all around the country.

Rose Ademun, Uganda's commissioner for animal health, said the Jianzhou big-eared goat is "a superior meat breed known for its rapid growth, high carcass yield and adaptability to various agro-climatic conditions". She said that through crossbreeding, the Ugandan government aims to ensure that farmers get offspring that are resilient, productive, and capable of thriving even under drought conditions.

FAO coordinated the procurement process, ensuring health checks, quarantine procedures and on-the-ground knowledge transfer. Chinese livestock experts have been working alongside Ugandan veterinarians to adapt the goats to local feeding regimes and climate, while training local staff in breeding and husbandry practices.

"This cooperation goes beyond livestock. It's about building lasting capacity, fostering innovation, and creating income opportunities in rural areas," said Martin Ameu, FAO program associate and South-South project coordinator in Uganda.

With the goats now set to be out of quarantine and thriving on Ugandan pastures, the project is set to begin breeding trials — a step policymakers said will mark the start of a long-term transformation in the country's livestock sector.