Goat rearing for better income

Veena Shivabalu Nirwani, a farmer in Chikkodi taluk of Belagavi district, has taken up goat rearing as a supplementary activity to farming. She owns a herd of about 100 goats consisting of popular breeds like Boer, Jamunapari, Sirohi, Beetal and Osmanabadi. An arts  graduate, Veena preferred farming to other professions. Over the years, she has worked passionately to achieve success in the chosen field.

Eventually, she was drawn to goat farming and decided to take it up full time. In 2013, with an investment of Rs 50,000, Veena bought goats of Jamunapari breed. Over the years, the size of herd increased and so did the income. So far, she has invested about Rs eight lakh in goat rearing and the earnings have been satisfactory. Recently, she has constructed a hi-tech goat shed with better facilities to ensure proper hygiene and healthy growth of the herd. Goat droppings and urine are collected separately and used as manure for the crops.

She has taken up goat rearing as a commercial enterprise and raises improved breeds that weigh more and give high meat yield. Each breed has its unique advantages. The breeds that are raised for meat have good demand in local and outside markets. Veena observes the trends in the market, which helps her balance the demand and supply ratio. A two-year-old Jamunapari goat is sold at around Rs 15,000. Boer is the most expensive goat breed and a three-month-old kid is sold at Rs 25,000. Raising a pure Boer breed is difficult as it doesn’t get adjusted to all climates easily. Hence, farmers normally cross-breed it with Osmanabadi goats.

“Though goat milk is good for health, there is no demand for it in the market. Hence, we allow the kid to drink milk. The effect is seen in the healthy growth of goat kids,”says Veena.

The goats are given healthy food which consists of green fodder, grain husk and nutritious goat feed. “Goats do not require more fodder. They even feed on green leaves. A right mix of pulses and green fodder leads to their healthy and fast growth. Since we grow fodder and pulses in the field, we get quality food at a low cost.” Veena says. Though goats are prone to common minor ailments, they can be cured with proper medical care. From her experience, Veena has found that goat rearing can become profitable with proper care and maintenance.