South Africa

Goat Farming and “Feed Grow” System (Regenerative Agriculture)

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (Kestel and Bulwer areas)
Support meat and milk production using hardy goat breeds, while reducing overgrazing impacts through a hydroponic “feed grow” system producing grass cakes and lowering water intake
Started 2019
handed over in 2022
- Managed ~150 goats for meat/milk; implemented camping systems and hydroponic fodder production
- adjusted feeding practices to address goat behaviour and local constraints (including fibre supplementation)
- Cooperative manager
- Implemented camping systems and feed technology
- Reduced water consumption by 20%
- increased milk yield and pregnancy rates
- Operational learning was central: goats were picky eaters and destructive to trees
- Responses included mixing prickly pear for fibre and using “feed grow” cakes
- The project demonstrates regenerative practice as adaptation under real conditions rather than idealised models