Goat-rearing turns lucrative for youth

There is a general opinion among rearers that goats consume any green leaves that are available in the wild — resulting in good growth and fetching good price.

But the situation now has changed due to regular attack by wild animals on these domestic animals and the numbers are on the decline. As a result, there is scarcity of local varieties of goats, naturally affecting the price of the meat — which is soaring. There are many poultry farms in the district but there are no goat farms here.

Recently, Kiran, a youth from Mysore, started rearing goats at Boredevara Manti, Antharasanthe hobli, in H D Kote taluk, for the first time.

He has invested Rs 85 lakh in this business, with financial help from State Bank of Mysore.
The goat farm is situated at the backwaters of river Kabini and is said to be suitable for goat rearing.

About 500 she goats and 20 he goats have been brought from Siroya in Rajasthan to start the farm. There are five breeds namely Siroya, Jamunathpura, Tothapuri, Betel and five shelters have been constructed to house them.

The goats are being fed at least three times a day and fodder is prepared exclusively at the farm house mixed with natural green leaves.

Maize is grown at the farm and harvested after 80 days, as it contains a lot of lactose which is helpful for growth of goats. Along with maize stalks, jaggery, salt, water, yeast powder are mixed and made into a nutritious fodder. If proper fodder is given, weight increases by two to four kgs in a month.

After six months, a healthy goat weighs about 25 to 30 kg. After one year it weights 50 to 60 kg, said Kiran.