Economy

Scientist helping farmers get Brazil’s goat with innovative dairy project

Goat meat is a crucial part of traditional cuisine in northeastern Brazil, but the animal's milk and cheese are largely overlooked throughout the country. A group of researchers is trying to change that

milk Goat cheese producer in Nova Friburgo, Rio de Janeiro. Photo: Silvio Cioffi/Folhapress
Goat cheese producer in Nova Friburgo, Rio de Janeiro. Photo: Silvio Cioffi/Folhapress

Brazil is home to almost 13 million domesticated goats, giving it the 10th largest herd in the world. Oddly enough, however, the production of goat’s milk in the country makes up only 1.3 percent of the global total — a market led by India, Bangladesh, Sudan, Pakistan, France, Greece, Turkey, and Spain.

While the production and consumption of milk and cheese in Brazil is hugely dominated by cattle, the husbandry of goats and sheep can be found all over the country, offering an important source of revenue for small farmers — principally in the semi-arid sertão in Brazil’s Northeast.

Goats and sheep’s ability to withstand climatic adversity has been built up over centuries, thanks to adaptation, natural selection, and the influence of humans. In Brazil, roughly 90 percent of goatherds and 60 percent of sheep herds are found in the Northeast region, which...

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