National Livestock Mission (NLM) 2023: Apply Online, Eligibility & Benefits
There is no development of hardworking citizens working in India. Due to lack of growth, unemployment is being seen across the country. In view of all these problems, the National Livestock Mission has been started by the Government of India. Citizens will also get employment opportunities through National Livestock Mission (NLM). There will also be an increase in the development of hardworking citizens. Along with this, the work of every citizen who produces the animal will also be increased. By this writing we have displayed all the phases of National Livestock Mission 2023 in front of you.
PROJECT REPORT ON GOAT FARMING
(FINANCIAL PROPOSAL FOR SETTING UP OF GOAT FARMING)
PROMOTERS:
Mr. Gopal Shivhare S/o Shri Mangilalji Shivhare at Village-Lakhanwas, Tehsil-Suthaliya, Distt.-Rajgarh (M.P.) applicant has put in significant efforts in business sector and is into this line & has also gained sound goodwill in the market in a very short span of time due to his sincere hard work. He has a sound financial & social background & has undertaken the task to take his business to paramount. He commands sound credibility in the market as well as the society. He has more than 8 years of experience. Being so closely associated with the sector he has attained high skills in the subject field.
National Livestock Mission (NLM) 2023: Apply Online, Eligibility & Benefits
There is no development of hardworking citizens working in India. Due to lack of growth, unemployment is being seen across the country. In view of all these problems, the National Livestock Mission has been started by the Government of India. Citizens will also get employment opportunities through National Livestock Mission (NLM). There will also be an increase in the development of hardworking citizens. Along with this, the work of every citizen who produces the animal will also be increased. By this writing we have displayed all the phases of National Livestock Mission 2023 in front of you. You can also get information about what benefits you can get under this mission, through this writing.
About National Livestock Mission 2023
The National Livestock Mission was launched by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying in the Government of India in the year 2014-15. Under this mission, the development of hardworking citizens will be increased and at the same time, the citizens who produce cattle will get employment through increase in their work. So that it will help to increase the production of meat, goat milk, egg and wool etc. After all the members living in the homes of citizens are subsistence from these products, only on the basis of what will be left, an increase in export income will be seen.
- NLM Scheme has been done to create forward and backward linkages found in the areas like shavers, sweepers, head loaders, animal driven vehicles, domestic workers, fishermen and women, barbers, vegetable and fruit vendors, newspaper vendors etc.
- Along with this, shavers, sweepers, head loaders, animal driven vehicles, domestic workers, fishermen and women, barbers, vegetable and fruit vendors, newspaper vendors etc. have been created to connect such areas with organized sectors.
- Through breed improvement the output of every individual who produces the animal will be increased.
- There will be an opportunity to increase the cost of animal production and skill-based training to improve the production of livestock and to increase the dissemination of the science of industrial production.
- Along with this, incentives will be given to set up processing units to bridge the demand-supply performance gap.
Overviews of National Livestock Mission Project
Name : National Livestock Mission
Launched By : Government Of India
Year : 2023
Beneficiaries : Citizens Of India
Application Procedure : Online
Objective : To Generate Employment
Benefits : Products Will Increase
Category : Central Government Scheme
Official Website : https://www.nlm.udyamimitra.in/
Objectives of National Livestock Mission (NLM)
The main objective of the National Livestock Mission 2023 is to make the citizens working in such areas aware of the facilities of employment in small ruminants, poultry and piggery sector and fodder sector. Through this mission, every citizen who produces cattle is taken care of to increase its production. Animal production will also be increased through breed improvement. Along with this, opportunities for growth will also be available in such areas as meat, egg, goat milk, wool and fodder production, etc. Under this mission, the demand will be reduced and the receipt of animal feed will be determined. Incentives will be given to set up animal feed processing units to reduce demand-supply performance.
Under the National Livestock Mission, farmers will be made aware of the facilities of livestock insurance as well as accident risk measures, while facilitating them.
Which has been applied and the research will be promoted in priority areas.
Benefits and Features of National Livestock Mission
National Livestock Mission 2023 was launched by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India in the year 2014-15.
Through this mission, the work of hardworking citizens will increase and every citizen who produces animal will also get employment opportunities in the increase of their production.
Production of meat, goat milk, egg and wool under this scheme will also help in increasing the production of such areas.
The increase in export earnings will be visible only after all the members living in the houses of the producing citizens are subsistence.
NLM Scheme covers sweepers, head loaders, animal driven vehicles, domestic workers, fishermen and women, barbers, vegetable and fruit vendors, news paper vendors etc. It has been started to increase the production of citizens working in such fields.
Under NLM Scheme beard makers, sweepers, head loaders, animal driven vehicles, domestic workers, fishermen and women, barbers, vegetable and fruit vendors, news paper vendors etc. Efforts will be made to keep such areas connected with organized sectors.
Through breed improvement, an increase in the production of the citizens who produce the animal will also be provided.
The science of industrial production and skill based training will be disseminated in order to improve the cost of animal production and to improve animal production. To reduce the demand supply performance through the National Livestock Mission, incentives will be given for setting up of animal feed processing units.
SECTORS OVERVIEW
Introduction
India occupies first position in terms of goat population and milk production. Chevon (goat meat) is most preferred and widely consumed meat in the country.
Since ancient times goat milk has traditionally been known for its medicinal properties and has recently gained importance in human health due to its proximity to human milk for easy digestibility and it’s all round health promoting traits. Still research is needed to explore and validate medicinal properties of goat milk for projecting it as therapeutic milk for human health. Demand for goat milk and milk products for internal consumption and export is expected to rise in coming years. Goat husbandry provides glimpses of future hope for employment generation, nutritional security and prosperity to the millions of small and marginal farmers in the country.
Role in global scenario: India ranks on top in goat population. The demand for meat, milk and fiber is increasing progressively and expected to further rise in future in view of sizable increase in per capita income and health consciousness of people. Worldwide consumers are preferring products that are “clean, green and ethical”. As such goat producers are shifting to husbandry practices that do not compromise the welfare of animals. Medicinal properties of goat milk increased the interest of society to use it as therapeutic health food neutraceutical; moreover, biotechnologists are focusing on designer milk for human health.
Basic Information of Goat as a livestock in the Country
Role in Rural Economy: Among all species of farm animals, Goats have the widest ecological range and have been poor people‟s most reliable livelihood resource since their domestication during Neolithic Revolution about 10 millennia ago. Goat plays a significant role in providing supplementary income and livelihood to millions of resource poor farmers and landless laborers of rural India. Small ruminant rearing ensures self-employment and acts as a cushion in distress situations like drought and famine.
Role in entrepreneurship: In last few years, goat production in the country gained momentum in the form of a commercially viable enterprise as evidenced by increasing interest of young entrepreneurs to develop knowledge and skill in this species. In many small-herd dairy goat enterprises, not all does must be milked, so meat is often the main product. Along with meat, the sale of breeding stock from small herds of dairy goats may be an important income source. This versatility allows the producer to plan and operate a more stable economic production unit. In some parts of the world, all breeds may be raised for fiber, meat, and milk and cheese production. Kids of all breeds can be used for meat. However, meat goat carcasses are generally leaner and more muscular than dairy goat carcasses.
Goat has been considered as dairy and meat animal for long in India. It has been given the popular name of “poor man’s cow” for milk production. Goats are small animals and easy to manage. They are economical to the poor farmers and demand less labour for milk, meat and fibre. Goats provide a considerable source of income and occupation to a sizeable rural population, especially the economically and socially backward classes of the society in India.
Goat is probably the only animal which is bred for multiple purposes, such as, milk, meat, skin, hide, manure and hair. Goat milk is cheap, wholesome, easily digestible and nutritious. It is mostly recommended for infants, invalids and other suffering from tuberculosis, anaemia, peptic ulcers and prolific stances etc. Goat manure is also a valuable asset and it can be easily handled, stored and applied to the trees and plants as a fertilizer. It is the principal meat producing animal in India. Its flesh is commonly preferred to other meat and fetches better prices than mutton and beef in the market. Goat skins are used for shoes, gloves, book binding, jackets and other item.
Goat may be regarded as the most valuable animal that can be maintained at low cost with more returns, if properly controlled through production and management. The importance of goat farming has increased now due to their economic return. They need minimum in put such as supplementary feeding, veterinary medicine and labour. The growing demand for meat and skins has also contributed to their farming commercially.
Goats require low initial investment as compare to cattle and buffalo. Because of their smaller body size and docile nature, they pose least management problems. Goat is the only livestock species that lives on ecology where grazing material is virtually not available. Goats survive on available hardy shrubs under diverse harsh environments is low fertility area. Goat provides more meat and milk per unit live weight per year than cattle, sheep and camel. They are more economical than cattle and sheep. They are responsible for providing employment and means of earning to the rural poor.
A specific focus on improved system of goat production and post-harvest technology can further increase the current level of employment and alleviate protein hung. Thus goat farming has great potential in India. Hence, goat rearing under stall fed conditions is one of such rural enterprise that can be done on a commercial scale with the twin objective of employment generation and income creation. The location of goat unit should be such that there is ample facility for marketing goat products at reasonable price.
Sheep and goats are generally reared by the poor households of the rural population and provide meat, wool and manure to the society. These animals have wide adoptability to suit varied agro-climatic conditions.
Market potential:
More than 80 percent of the Indian Population is meat eaters. Purchasing power of the people is on the rise and there is a distinct shift in consumption patterns, Non-Veg now becoming almost an essential part of the diet. Mutton is relished by people more than chicken or beef /pork (Consumed by a select section). Availability of Mutton is less than the demand. It requires smaller investments and is not as risky a business proposition as compared to Dairy. Sale of goats/goat meat is never a problem for the above mentioned reasons. India occupies first position in terms of goat population and milk production. The demand for goat meat is increasing faster than the growth in goat population. Goat plays a significant role in providing supplementary income and livelihood to millions of resource poor farmers and landless labourers of rural India.
Export Potential:
The scope for exports too is huge, however for selling goat meat abroad one has to adhere to strict phy to sanitary conditions and standards of the respective nations. Goat is a multifunctional animal and plays a significant role in the economy and nutrition of landless, small and marginal farmers in the country. Goat rearing is an enterprise which has been practiced by a large section of population in rural areas. Goats can efficiently survive on available shrubs and trees in adverse harsh environment in low fertility lands where no other crop can be grown. In pastoral and agricultural subsistence societies goats are kept as a source of additional income and as an insurance against disaster.
(A) About Goat:
1. Goat is an important species of livestock in the country, which produces milk, meat, skin, fiber, manure and generates employment and trade.
2. This species is of economic importance to the people living in arid, semi-arid, hilly areas, heavy rain fall and tribal areas. Goat milk is considered superior to cow milk and has several medicinal properties.
3. Goat’s milk is the costliest of all the meals in the country.
4. Goat rearing is a traditional occupation of economically weaker section of society especially small and marginal farmers and landless labourers.
5. Comparatively lower body size, short gestation period and adaptability to diverse agro climatic conditions makes it more popular among growers. It can be fed extensively on community range lands, village woodland and cropped land after the crop is harvested.
(B) The two major sets of activities proposed are:
1. Intensive goat production system.
2. To support conventional goat production system with capacity building in the community.
(C) Details:
Promoting Intensive Goat Production System:-
1. Unit size will be 500 females and 25 male goats.
2. Units will be supported with health cover (medicines, vitamins and mineral supplements) and insurance to animals.
Objectives of the project:
1. Entrepreneur Development:- The scheme will inculcate the entrepreneurship in unemployed farmers.
2. Employment Generation:- To produce employment in the village and to extending social and minority benefits to unemployed youths.
3. The farmer will earn better outputs through rearing of recognized breeds of goat with balanced ration and health coverage.
4. Main objective of the project is to increase the best palatable protein in the form of meat and milk and eradicating malnutrition.
Goat farming business in India would be a great choice if it is done in the precise and planned way. There are many people out there who want to be an entrepreneur in this field and they want to start profitable business in goat farming in India but due to lack of knowledge, experience and profitable goat farming business plan they could not make the better outcome as it could be if it is done in the systematic way in India.
Benefits of commercial goat farming:
1. Goats are multi-purpose animals which can produce milk, meat, fibre, skin together.
2. Goats require less space, less additional facilities & low management skills.
3. In small scale production, they are also able to share their homes with their owners.
4. Production costs like infrastructure, feeding and treatment are less.
5. Market facility for live animals & meat.
6. Easy to maintain a goat farm compared to farms of other animals.
7. Goats can adopt themselves with almost all types of agro-climatic conditions.
8. Smaller in size but reach slaughter age faster.
9. Goat products like meat and milk has no religious taboo & widely accepted for consumption.
Goat Milk:
Goat milk is recommended for its health benefits & therapeutic values. Compared to cow or buffalo milk, goat milk is deemed far closer to mother‟s milk in its chemical structure and digestibility. It also has better composition of proteins and useful amino acids, lending it anti-inflammatory and immunity boosting traits to guard against infections. Besides, can be milked any time of the day (ATM – any time milk), thus acquiring the well-deserved epithet of “mobile milk vending machine” or “walking refrigerators”.
Different steps need to be taken before starting a goat farming business:
1. Selection of land where you are willing to start a goat farm:
Selection of land to start goat farming in India is the very first step one has to take. There is no hard and fast rule for selection of land, it would be better if you have a surplus land at the city out skirt with the greenery and grazing area. The only thing matter in land selection is that it should not be a low land area. The water lodging area is not fit for the goats. The land should be surrounded by proper fencing/boundary wall/bamboo fencing.
Suitable Location/Site for Goat Farming:
Almost all areas are suitable for goat farming. But we can select a land for goat farming nearer to home or select a land which has all types of facilities for successful goat farming business. During selection of land for goat farming business, the following points should be considered:
- The patch of land should have source of fresh and clean water.
- Suitable for grass, crop and other green plants production as green fodder is used to reduce feed cost.
- The selected land may not be too far from the market or town.
- Ensure there is a suitable market near your selected area for purchasing necessary commodities and medicines.
- Find out if there are any other goat farms located in your selected area.
- A suitable market with good demand for goat or meat would be much better.
- Try to select the land in village area as labourers & other inputs can easily be found within the budget in village areas.
- Ensure availability of all types of veterinary service in the area. If not, stock the required vaccines and medicines in the farm.
Brick and cemented boundary is better choice with proper gated entrance.
Project Location:
Goat farm is located in the area where assured market round the year is available. It is easily accessible to the main road.
Housing:
Low cost housing will be constructed on a raised platform (about 1 meter height from ground level) by using bamboo/wooden poles or ‘pakka’ building by establishing concrete pillars. Floor and side walls will be made of wooden material. Roof will be thatched with coconut leaves, grass or asbestos sheets. Average floor space per kid is 0.75 to 1 sq. meter. Floor should have at least 1 cm space between bamboos/wooden planks to allow passage of dung and urine down to the ground.
Housing management:
(1.) Construct shed on dry and properly raised ground.
(2.) Avoid water-logging, marshy areas.
(3.) In low lying and heavy rainfall areas the floors should be preferably elevated.
(4.) In temperate Himalayan region the floor may be made of wood.
(5.) The shed should be 10 ft. high and should have good ventilation.
(6.) Bucks should be housed in individual pens.
(7.) Does can be housed in groups upto 60 per pen.
(8.) Provide proper shade and cool drinking water in summer.
(9.) Dispose of dung and urine properly.
(10.) Give adequate space for the animals. The housing space required for goats of various age groups.
(11.) Avoid over stocking or crowding.
Selection of breeding stock and it’s management:
(1.) Immediately after release of the loan purchase the stock from a reliable breeders or from nearest livestock market.
(2.) Animals in good health and having good physical features must be purchased in consultation with Veterinarian/ Bank’s technical officer.
(3) Purchase animals which are ready to breed and in prime stage of production.
(4) Identify the newly purchased animals by suitable identification mark.
(5) Vaccinate the newly purchased animals against the diseases.
(6) Keep the newly purchased animals under observation for about 15 days and then mix with the general flock.
(7) Unproductive animals should be culled promptly and should be replaced by the newly purchased animals or farm born one
(8) Animals are to be bred at the interval of 8-9 months for maximum productivity.
(9) Cull the old animals at the age of 6 years and above.
(10) Avoid the kidding during peak periods of summer and winter.
2. Goat Shed Construction:
A proper cleaned, hygienic and spacious shed is required for the better growth of the goats. The space requirements per goat are given in the technical parameters. Elevated sheds are better to save the goats from moisture and for roof area better quality of asbestos should be used to save goats from heat in summers. Create one water reservoir or cemented tank to provide fresh drinking water supply to goats every time. It should be outside the shed area. A proper cemented or steel stall is required for the goat feeding it may be inside or outside the shed.
3. Goat Breed Selection:
Goats breed selection is very important aspect in the goat farm as this is the main asset of your business which is going to give your business a boom and a good uplift. There are different breeds out there which are considered as profitable breed selection basically it depends on the region and climate. It can be categorized in two parts
a) Pure Breed
-
- Jamunapari
- Barbari
- Black Bengal
- Beetal
- Sirohi
b) Cross Breed
(1) Cross Breed of Jamunapari and Sirohi (Jamunapari Buck and Black Bengal Doe)
(2) Cross Breed of Barbari and Black Bengal (Barbari Buck and Black Bengal Doe)
(3) Cross Breed of Black Bengal and Beetal (Beetal Buck and Black Bengal Doe)
(4) The local well adapted doe may be crossed with pure breed bucks of any breed that are suitable for that climatic condition.
There may be a number of cross breed depending upon the breed of Buck and Doe. The thumb rule in breed selection is the environmental and climatic condition of the area where the breed is best suited. Black Bengal are suitable for Eastern India, Jamunapari is suitable for neighboring region where grazing lands are abandoned and Sirohi is suitable for north M.P. & Rajsthan border. Barbari is suitable for stall fed purpose.
Breeding Season:
| Sr.No | Season | Season in Heat | Kidding Season | Remarks |
| 1. | Summer | March – April | Aug – Sept | |
| 2. | Rainy | June – July | Nov – Dec | Best |
| 3. | Winter | Oct – Nov | Jan – Feb |
4. Vaccination Schedule:-
Proper Scheduled vaccination is very important to overcome the mortality rate in goats. After purchasing the goats and before introducing into the goat farm deworming is compulsory and vaccination schedule should be followed as given below:-
- FMD (Foot and Mouth Disease) vaccine name is Polyvalent FMD vaccine given once in a year and dosage is 3ml. S/C given in February and December.
- Anthrax Vaccine name is Anthrax spore vaccine given once in a year dosage is 1ml. S/C in the month of May-June.
- ET (Enterotoxaemia) vaccine name is ET vaccine once in a year dosage is 5 ml. S/C in the month of May- June.
- CCPP (Contagious Caprine Pneuro Pneumonia) or IVRI Vaccine dosage is 0.2ml. S/C once in a year.
- PPR (Peste Des Pettis Ruminants) or PPR Vaccine with a dosage of 1 ml S/C given once in a 3 year.
Veterinary Aid
Veterinary aid/ breeding centers facilities are availability near the proposed goat farm.
Protection against diseases:
(A) Be on the alert for signs of illness such as reduced feed intake, fever, abnormal discharge or unusual behaviour.
(B) Consult the nearest veterinary aid centre for help if illness is suspected. (C ) Protect the animals against common diseases.
(D) In case of outbreak of contagious diseases, immediately segregate the sickanimals from healthy one and take necessary disease control measures.
(E) Deworm the animals regularly.
(F) Examine the faeces of adult animals to detect eggs of internal parasites and treat the animals with suitable drugs.
(G) Provide clean and uncontaminated feed and water for minimising the health disorders.
(H) Strictly follow the recommended vaccine schedule.
5. Feed & Fodder cultivation:
Fertile land with assured irrigation facilities is available so that fodder crops could be successfully raised and abundant good quality green fodders will be made available for animal feeding throughout the year.
Feeding Mangers:
Concrete/brick partition with GI pipe at a distance of 30 cm would be economical with long shelf life.
OD: 8.2×0.8×0.3 m ID: 8.0×0.6×0.2m. A manger of same dimensions is also required in each paddock.
Feeding management:
(1) Ensure Bushes/shrubs for browising of animals
(2) As an alternative to above, supply of cultivated fodder from own farm or from surrounding farms may be ensured.
(3) Offer roughages adlib.
(4) As a thumb rule 2/3rds of the energy requirements should be met through roughages. Half of the roughages should be leguminous green fodders and rest half should be grasses/tender tree leaves.
(5) In the absence of good quality green fodders, concentrates must be considered to replace them.
(6) Kids should be fed colostrum upto 5 days of age. Later on they can be put on Kid starter rations.
(7) Green leguminous fodders should be offered adlib. to kids from 15 days onwards.
(8) Provide salt and water to kids at all times.
(9) Additional concentrates should be given to bucks and does during breeding season.
(10) Care should be taken to meet the nutrient requirements as recommended.
Feed and Fodder:
Goat is fastidious eater & likes browsing. Common feeds & fodders of goat are :-
a) Roughage
Tree/Bushes/Shrubs leaves, Neem, Peepal, Bargad, Golar, Jamun, Angir, Babul,
Jharberi, Bhimal, Ber, Mulberry, anjan, Bamboo,
Subabul, Karonda, Gokhuru etc.
Hays – Cowpea, Berseem, Oats.
Straws – Arhar, Gram, Wheat and Paddy.
Grasses – Dub, Anjana, Sawain, Zarga, Kankunwa etc.
Cultivated fodders & their hay/bhusa- Lobia, bereseem, Lucerne, oats,maize, bajra,
para grass.
b) Concentrate
Cheap & easily available feed ingredients shall be used for computing concentrate feed for goats. Babul Pods, Gram, Wheat Bran, GNC, Sesame Cake, Arhar Grain, Maize, owar, Bajra, Barley and Guar, Jungle Bean Pods. Mineral mixture 2% & Iodized common salt1% shall be mixed.
6. Water:
Good quality fresh water for animal drinking and for the cleaning, washing etc. is available.
Watering:
For adult: – made of concrete/bricks. Size: ID: 4.80×0.90×0.37m.
For young animals (3-6 Months) : 3.60×0.75×0.30 m.
For kids (0-3 months) : Plastic tubs of 8-10 litre capacity may be used.
7. Labour:
Honest, economic and regular supplies of labours are available.
Breeding care:
1. It should be planned to obtain 3 kiddings in 2 years period by adopting optimal management conditions.
2. For every 25 does one buck should be provided in one breeding season.
3. Breed the animals 12 hours after the onset of the first symptoms of heat for maximum conception.
4. Unbreedable animals must be examined thoroughly as directed by veterinary doctor for prompt elimination of causes for anoestrum or cull them if necessary.
Care during pregnancy:
In advanced stage of pregnancy the does must be transferred to either kidding pens or separately earmarked space for kidding with in the main shed after thoroughly disinfecting it. After kidding, the does should be provided with warm bran mash for two days.
Care of kids:
1. Take care of new born kids by providing guard rails.
2. Treat / disinfect the naval cord with tincture of iodine as soon as it is cut with a sharp knife.
3. Protect the kids from extreme weather conditions, particularly during the first two months.
4. Dehorn the kids during first two weeks of age
5. Male kids should be castrated for better quality meat production.
6. Vaccinate the kids as per the recommended schedule
7. Wean the kids at the age of 8 weeks
8. Proper selection of kids on the basis of initial body weight and weaning weight should be initiated by maintaining appropriate records for replacing the culled adult stock as breeders.
9. Additional feed requirements of lactating does must be ensured for proper nursing of all the piglets born.
10. Marketing:
The marketable products of goat farming include the fattened kids, manure, and culled animals. Marketing avenues for the above products are slaughter houses and individual meat consuming customers and agriculture farms. Therefore availability of either slaughtering facilities or traders who will purchase live animals should be ensured to convert the fatteners into wholesome meat and meat products. Further, demand for manure from nearby agriculture farms must also be ensured.
Why do goat rearing?
Goat is a multi-functional animal and plays a significant role in the economy and nutrition of landless, small and marginal farmers in the country. Goat rearing is an enterprise which has been practiced by a large section of population in rural areas. Goats can efficiently survive on available shrubs and trees in adverse harsh environment in low fertility lands where no other crop can be grown. In pastoral and agricultural subsistence societies in India, goats are kept as a source of additional income and as an insurance against disaster. Goats are also used in ceremonial feastings and for the payment of social dues. In addition to this, goat has religious and ritualistic importance in many societies. The advantages of goat rearing are:
i. The initial investment needed for Goat farming is low.
ii. Due to small body size and docile nature, housing requirements and management problems with goats are less.
iii. Goats are friendly animals and enjoy being with the people.
iv. Goats are prolific breeders and achieve sexual maturity at the age of 10-12 months gestation period in goats is short and at the age of 16-17 months it starts giving milk. Twinning is very common and triplets and quadruplets are rare.
v. In drought prone areas risk of goat farming is very much less as compared to other livestock species.
vi. Unlike large animals in commercial farm conditions both male and female goats have equal value.
vii. Goats are ideal for mixed species grazing. The animal can thrive well on wide variety of thorny bushes, weeds, crop residues, agricultural by-products unsuitable for human consumption.
viii. Under proper management, goats can improve and maintain grazing land and reduce bush encroachment (biological control) without causing harm to the environment.
ix. No religious taboo against goat slaughter and meat consumption prevalent in the country.
x. Slaughter and dressing operation and meat disposal can be carried without much environmental problems.
xi. The goat meat is more lean (low cholesterol) and relatively good for people who prefer low energy diet especially in summer and sometimes goat meat (chevon) is preferred over mutton because of its “chewability”
xii. Goat milk is easy to digest than cow milk because of small fat globules and is naturally homogenised. Goat milk is said to play a role in improving appetite and digestive efficiency. Goat milk is non-allergic as compared to cow milk and it has anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties and can be used for treating urogenital diseases of fungal origin.
xiii. Goats are 2.5 times more economical than sheep on free range grazing under semi-arid conditions.
xiv. Goat creates employment to the rural poor besides effectively utilising unpaid family labour. There is ample scope for establishing cottage industries based on goat meat and milk products and value addition to skin and fibre.
xv. Goat is termed as walking refrigerator for the storage of milk and can be milked number of times in a day.
Scheme formulation:
A scheme can be prepared by a beneficiary after consulting local technical persons of State animal husbandry department, Commercial farmers etc. If possible the beneficiaries should also visit progressive goat rearers and government/ military/ agricultural university farms in the vicinity and discuss the profitability of goat rearing. A good practical training and experience in goat rearing will be highly desirable. Nearness of the Goat farm to a veterinary aid centre and breeding centre should be ensured.
The scheme should include information about land, livestock markets, availability of water, feed, fodders, veterinary aid, breeding facilities, marketing aspects, training facilities, experience of the farmer and the type of assistance available from Central/State Government.
Note: This report is prepared basis the inputs provided by and on behalf of the Proprietor and we do not mean to vouch for the accuracy of the forecasts.
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