GOAT FARMING PRACTICES IN INDIA

GOAT FARMING PRACTICES IN INDIA

Dr Sanjay Kumar Bharti¹, Dr Sant Bhagirath  Dr Pratibha Kumari³ and Dr Vijay Kumar⁴,

Department of Veterinary Anatomy, Bihar Veterinary College, Bihar Animal Sciences University, Patna- 800014

ABSTRACT:-
Goat farming involves the raising & breeding of domestic goats as a brash of animal husbandry.

This is done for obtaining their meat, milk, fiber skins. Goat is known as poor man’s cow, because goats can be kept with little expense as compare to other types of livestock. Goats are among the main meat-producing animals in India , whose meat (chevon) is one of the choicest meats and has huge domestic demand. Due to its good economic prospects, goat rearing under intensive and semi-intensive system for commercial production has been gaining momentum for the past couple of years. High demand for goat and its products with potential of good economic returns have been deriving many progressive farmers, businessmen, professionals, ex-servicemen and educated youths to take up the goat enterprise on a commercial scale. The emerging favourable market conditions and easy accessibility to improved goat technologies are also catching the attention of entrepreneurs. A number of commercial goat farms have been established in different regions of the country.

Keywords – Goat, Farming, Meat, Housing and Management

Advantage of Goat Farming:-

Goat keeping has now become a key portion in the rural development programme in the developing countries for the poor, rearing of goat serves as insurance during economic times during economic crisis. Goat products such as milk and meat are not only nutritious and easily digestible but are also a great source of regular income for the poor, landless and marginal farmers. It contributes immensely in rural economy and national income. Its meat and milk are cholesterol free and easily digestible.

It does not matter what size farm you own; you want to choose only the best animals to raise. Goat owners boast that these mammals contribute to a more sustainable lifestyle. How exactly does owning a goat benefit the farm? This article will uncover why raising these animals is popular among hobby farmers, industrial farms, and every farm size in between. Are you considering owning one of these animals? Ensuring you are feeding them exactly what they need nutritionally is the first place to start. Offers a complete goat ration pellet to supplement their grass hay or other roughage. We understand you want the best for your animals, so we create our formulas with a commitment to their well-being. We use high-quality ingredients and a unique blend of essential oils. Many farmers find goats to be prize additions to their farms. Let’s take a look at some of the ways these farm animals can benefit people.

Goat production systems in India

1. Extensive production system
2. Stall-fed and intensive production system
3. Semi-intensive production system
4. Integration with cropping or fishery system

Why to go for goat farming?

1. There is no religious taboo attached with goat farming or with goat meat (chevon) and all sections of the society readily consume goat meat.
2. Chevon contains low cholesterol and a lean meat than red meat.
3. Comparatively low investment is required for starting a goat farm.
4. According to availability of land, labour and capital the goatery can be started with one unit of goat to a large commercial farm which suits a small marginal farmer or a big industrialist.
5. In small scale goatery family labour can be efficiently utilized who cannot go for other farming activity (e.g. Children or old member of the family).
6. Due to fastidious eating habit goat can thrive in all agro-climatic condition of the country.
7. Goat can consume all kinds of plant which are generally rejected by the other animals and also can withstand more bitter taste.
8. They are naturally browsing in nature and can easily pluck feed from trees, bushes and shrubs.
9. Due to small fat globule present in goat milk, it is easily digested and medically recommended for infants and aged people.
10. Goats are prolific breeder and mature at the age of 10 to 12 months. In small breeds like Black Bengal or Assam Hill it is only 6 to 7 months. By 16 to 17 months goats starts milking.
11. Three kidding in two years and twin birth is very common in goat, thus ensure more economic return in a short period.
12. Goat can thrive in almost all region of the country and generate employment for rural masses.
13. Goat manure is rich in nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium and is excellent manure for agricultural production.

 

1. They Produce Dairy Products.

Many who consider owning a goat know that they produce dairy, including both cheese and milk. Raising a dairy goat supplies milk for the family and can be an income source for the family. Their cheese is not only delicious but incredibly popular. A benefit to dairy goats is they are less costly than cows and require less land. Gratefully, if one is lactose intolerant, it is likely you won’t have a problem tolerating goat’s milk. Dieticians have reported goat’s milk is easier to digest, and people have fewer digestive symptoms than cow’s milk.

2.Goats Help Clear Land- Including Weeds. Goats thrive on foliage; in fact, they need it to keep their gut healthy. These mammals love to eat weeds, poison ivy, leaves, and even bark. By reducing the amount of greenery on the farm, it reduces the risk of fire and insects. By having a goat, you can reduce the amount of pesticide used on the farm. That’s healthier for everyone. Goats do best with grass hay, so do not feed them grass or expect them to eat fields of green. They don’t fare well as lawnmowers. However, these grazers love leftover piles of leaves, weeds, and rubbage and will happily chomp away if given the opportunity.

3.Goat is the Richest Source of Meat

Goat meat is not popular in the United States, but it is enjoyed by many around the world. If you’re looking for a meat source that doesn’t require much room to store, this meat is a choice option. Goat meat is comparable to venison, a lean cut known for being healthy and lower in fat. It is also even higher in protein than beef. Goat’s meat is sometimes referred to as Chevon. Raising these animals for meat can also be profitable as it can be challenging to find on the market.

4.Goat is big sources of Own Petting Zoo

Goats make good pets. Why not turn them into a petting zoo? Baby goats can be a massive draw for visitors to the farm. You can decide how much to charge for the public to come and see the kids at the petting zoo. These animals are entertaining, cuddly, and friendly. Children love them, and it can be a fantastic educational opportunity to introduce them to farm life.

 5.They Make Wanderful Manure- Having a goat can be beneficial for your garden and the soil on your farm. Their manure contains nutritious nitrogen and phosphate, which are helpful for both veggies and flowers. Also, unlike cows, the pellets do not have an odor and are dried out, so they are easy to collect. What an improvement over cow patties or other sources of manure. As far as the fields, goats are browsers; they will fertilize as they are allowed to roam. For plants, collect the pellets and fertilize as needed. The pellets can be incorporated with watering or natural rain.

 6.Richest Sources of Fibres.

Did you know goats are fiber producers? The animal’s breed determines what fiber they can produce. For example, the Cashmere Goat produces cashmere, and the Angora Goat makes Mohair. If you are crafty, you can use the fiber and spin your yarn. You can also sell the thread to local yarn companies. Ideally, females and castrated males will give the best coat for fiber.

Housing Management :-

For housing goats, low cost shed can be made from locally available resources like bamboo, bakkal, thatch etc.

Recommended floor space for different age groups are as follows:-

    Age group                                                     Floor space

0 – 3 Months                                                   0.5 – 1.0 sq. ft
3 – 6 Months                                                   1.0 – 2.5 sq. ft
6 – 12 Months                                                 2.5 – 3.5 sq. ft
Buck                                                                5 sq. ft
Doe                                                                 6.5 sq. ft

Feeding characteristics of goats:-

Goat is a hardy, sure – footed small ruminant. They prefer to browse different kind of fodder.

They can be fed with kitchen wastes like vegetable tops & spent grains of kitchen which can save 30 – 40% of feeding cost.

They don’t prefer to eat stale food. They prefer nibbling so feed & fodder should be provided of small quantities & at least 3 – 4 times in a day.

To avoid fodder wastage, keep the fodder on a fodder rack or tied & hung in a small bunch.

Rotational grazing is advisable for farmers who have enough land to space for grazing.

   General Management Tips:-

Healthy goat of a good breed is of prime importance for a profitable goat farming.

Good quality green fodder & balanced feed will enhance the productivity.

Castrate all the male goats which are not selected for breeding of the age of 2 – 4 weeks.

Breeding management

Successful breeding of goat depends on right selection of doe and buck.  Generally female goats become mature at the age of 6 to 10 months depending on the breed, size and weight. Male goats become mature at 12 months of age. Two kidding in three years is ideal for a goat farm. At the interval of 8 to 9 months doe may be bred for optimum production. In goat there is two peaks breeding season i.e. from March to May and September to November. Oestrus cycle is repeated every 17 to 21 days and doe remains in heat for 18 to 36 hours. The doe should be met with buck after 10 to 15 hours of onset of heat for better conception rate. Gestation period in goat is 145 to 155 days. The male can be utilized for breeding purposes up to 8 to 10 years and female 5 to 7 years. A teaser buck may be used for heat detection in does.

 Management of Pregnant Doe:-

The regular estrus cycle is of 18 – 20 days. For effective breeding the doe should bred within 6 – 12 hours of estrus.

From 4^th month of pregnancy additional feed for growing fetus & nourishing mother is essential which will help for proper growth of developing fetus in the womb & increase milk production after kidding.

Health care management

1. The goat shed should be cleaned with disinfectants at least once in a month.
2. Adequate floor space (1.2 to 4.0 sq mt/ goat) may be provided to avoid overcrowding.
3.  Feed and water troughs should be cleaned regularly.
4. Deworming at least twice in a year should be done to prevent endoparasites.
5. For tick, mite, lice etc dipping or spraying with ectoparasitic drugs is recommended at regular interval.
6. Vaccination for PPR. FMD, Goat Pox etc should be done periodically.
7. Care should be taken for prevention of infectious and zoonotic diseases in the farm.
8. Isolation of sick animals is must to prevent further loss to the flock.
9.  Stray animals should not be allowed to room free in farm premises.
10. Vaccination at advance stage of pregnancy may be avoided.
11. Timely care should be taken for diseases like diarrhea, bloat, indigestion etc to avoid unnecessary loss.

Care & management of new born kids:-

Special care should be giving the kids for the 1^st 90 days of their age because there is high mortality rate during this age.

The doe & kids should be well vaccinated, spacious & dry shed.

Do not forget to feed colostrums within 72 hours or birth which has high nutritive value & antibodies to keep the kids healthy & ensure fast growth.

Feed the milk to kids up to 90 days after which the kids should be weaned.

Economics of Goat Farming (dual purpose) (4 female & 1 male)

(A) Capital Expenditure	Amount
1) Cost of breedable parent stock (Body weight = 25 kg. av.) 5 nos @ Rs 4500 – goat	Rs = 22,500
2) Cost or shed construction with the use of local materials that is bamboo, thatch roof, wooden pillars etc.	Rs = 5,000 Total = 27,500
(B)  Recurring cost 1) Feeding of nos. of goats for 12 months @ 300gm/day/goat @ 15 kg of conc. Feed. 2) Cost of insurance of parent stock @ 5% for one year 3) Cost of medicine & vaccine if any 4) Cost of feeding equipments & ropes etc.	Rs = 8,100 Rs = 15,000 Rs = 8,000 Rs = 1000 ——————- Total = 11,400
5) Feeding of the parent stock of the same rate as above during 2 year 6) Feeding of remaining 8 nos. of male kids for remaining period that is 8.9 months (mutton purpose) @ 300gm/day.	Rs = 8,100 Rs = 4,320 Rs = 9,720 Rs = 22,140 —————— Total = 33,540
Returns:- 1) Sale of 8 nos. of 3-4 months kids expecting twin kidding after 8-9 month of farming and sale start from 13-14 months. Average price of young kids expected to be Rs = 25000/- 2) Sale of 8 nos. of male goats reared for mutton @ Rs 6000/- goats 3) Sale of manure approximately 20 bags or 50 kgs each @ Rs 200/bag.	Rs = 2,000   Rs = 48,000 Rs = 200 —————- Total = 70, 000
Net income from 1st generation	Rs = 70, 000 = 33,540

 

Total project cost for one unit for 1^st year Rs = 72,440.00

The income is directly proportionate to the no. of sales of progeny from 2^nd generation on wards.

 

   Dr Sanjay Kumar Bharti^, Head Department of Veterinary Anatomy, –

     Corresponding Author :drskbharti24@gmail.com   

References

1. Birthal, P.S. and P.K. Joshi (2006) High Value Agriculture for Accelerated and Equitable Growth: Policy Brief. No. 24, National Centre for Agricultural Economics and Policy Research, New Delhi, December. 2. 2. Dalgado, C., M. Rosegrant, H. Steinfedl, S. Ehui,and C. Courbois (1999) Livestock to 2020 — The Next Food Revolution. Food, Agriculture and Environment Discussion Paper 28, IFPRI, Washington.

3.Kumar, Shalander (2007) Commercialization of Goat Farming and Marketing of Goats in India. Final Report of ICAR Ad-hoc Research Scheme 2004-07, Central Institute for Research on Goats, Makhdoom, Mathura.

4. Kumar, Shalander (2007) Multi-disciplinary project on transfer of technology for sustainable goat production, Annual Report 2006-07, Central Institute for Research on Goats, Makhdoom, Mathura.
5. Kumar, Shalander and P.R. Deoghare (2002) Goat rearing and rural poor: A case study in south-western semiarid zone of Uttar Pradesh. Annals of Arid Zone, 41(1): 79-84.
6. Kumar, S., V.S. Vihan and P.R. Deoghare (2003) Economic implication of diseases in goats in India with special reference to implementation of a health plan calendar. Small Ruminant Research, 47: 159-164.
7. Singh, N.P. (2006) Technological advances for commercial goat production. In: Commercial Goat and Sheep Farming and Marketing: Farmer-IndustryResearcher Interface, Eds: pp. 1-17.
8. Singh, N.P. and Shalander Kumar (2007) An alternative approach to research for harnessing production potential of goats. Proceedings of 4th National Extension Congress, Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Jabalpur, 9-11 March

https://icar.org.in/node/8040

 

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