Goat Farming

GOAT Farming is emerging as a good business opportunity for Small, Marginal Farmer and Entrepreneurs in recent times. Traditionally Goat rearing is done by the ‘Dhangars‘, a shepherd community in Maharashtra, India. The literal meaning of this word is Dhan – Money and Gar – who owns it.

Goat is poor man’s cow………… M.K. Gandhi

It is true. It is like ATM – encash at any time. Considering its potential now many of Farmers and Businessman/Entrepreneurs are entering in Goat Rearing Business. It is becoming as one of the employment generators in a rural area.

GOATS

 

GOATS are among the earliest animals domesticated by humans. Goats have been reared for the meat, milk, skin purpose since ages. Majorly it is reared for meat purpose. Goat dung is also used a farm manure. I would suggest this Wikipedia article on Goats.

Goat meat ( chevon) is preferred by many without any religious taboo. Goat bucks are in has huge demand during the festival seasons like EID where it fetches a premium price for the goat.

In India, Goats are reared mainly for meat purpose. Goats have been successfully reared for milk in western countries.Goat milk can be used for Cheese, Yogurt, and other milk related products.

Importance of Goat in Rural economy

GOATS plays very important role in rural economy. Goat is a docile animal but can survive almost any environment except for humid/wet conditions. Unlike cows and buffaloes, it requires less space and feed and is cheaper compared to those big animals.

It can also act as a secondary source of income for the marginal farmer. They can raise 10 to 15 goats which can be easily fed on the residue of the farm crop and can be housed in small space. Villages have a person who works as a shepherd for goats.

Considering it’s huge potential, Government is also sponsoring scheme by providing backend subsidy, to promote goat rearing and farming.

GOAT Farming Methods

Traditional extensive system

Small farmers, rural landless people practice this method in Village. Goats are grazed on common panchayat land, harvested farm, bank of river and canal, alongside hills, etc. It is done in small scale like 5 to 10 goats. There is village shepherd which takes them to common land for grazing in return of small money.

Huge goat and sheep herd are maintained mainly by the migratory shepherd from Rajasthan. They travel different states with their heard search of food for the goats. They are also paid by farmers to graze goats on their harvested field. Goats clean up all crop residue and at the same time releases dung which is good organic manure.

Check below video which shows sheep heards in India.

Semi-intensive system

It is most appropriate and suitable method which provides good returns. In this system, goats are partially grazed on pastures and they are also fed some supplementary feed. It is mostly grain like corn, wheat, sorghum, etc. This feed is fixed with some minerals also for quick gain in weight.

Intensive System

This is a closed system of goat rearing where goats are kept confined to a fixed area. Fodder is either bought or cultivated in own land.

It is recommended to either go for Semi or Intensive system as there is a good control on Goat feed and ultimately goat health. It results in good gain weight by Goat. Goat characteristic can be improved by a selective breeding method in this system. It gives a good return on investment.

Advantages of Goat Rearing

1. Initial Investment needed for Goat Rearing is low compared to big animals like Buffaloes and Cows. Goats are docile in nature and require less space. Housing requirement and Management Problems are less. They can be even managed by grown-up kids, women, and elders in the family.
2. Equal value for both Does and Buck
3. Goat Meat is accepted by many without any religious taboo. It has less cholesterol.
4. Goat is multi-purpose animal producing meat, milk and fiber.
5. Goats are prolific breeders and achieve early sexual maturity. Gestation period in 150 to 155 days and twins are common in most of Goat Breeds.
6. Goats can be easily raised on a low-quality feed like bushes, weeds, crop residue, kitchen waste.
7. Goat milk is in huge demand, easy to digest and used in Ayurvedic medicine.
8. It generates employment to rural poor and can effectively utilize unpaid family labor.