Goat Farming Business in Madurai - a Business case analysis

Starting a goat farm is a simple process if you do your business homework well. It is all about preparation and developing a goat farming business plan of action and seeing through that plan is done.

If you think you got what it takes to start a goat farm, these business guidelines will multiple your chances to start out right and successfully.

1) Learn About Goats
2) Decide What type of Goat Business You Want to Do
3) Determine on How Big You Want Your Business to Start
4) Get License
5) Purchase Land that you can Develop into a Farm
6) Invest Farming Equipment
7) Advertise

INTEGRATED GOAT farming is a viable income-generating sector, especially for marginal farmers. Studies on cross breeding of the Kanni variety and other local varieties with the Boer goat and the economics of integrating them in dryland farming have shown promising results according to Dr F.R. Sheriff, Director of Extension Education, Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (TANUVAS).

"Integrating goat farming with cropping systems like agro forestry models such as, agrisilviculture, hortipasture, boundary plantations, wind belts and silvipasture models with trees and grasses can be established in wastelands to supplement farm income," said Dr. Sheriff.

Feeding variety
Being hardy animals, goats can be fed on Neem (Azadiracta indica) and a wide variety of fodders and grasses such as Kolukattai grass (Cenchrus ciliaris), Guinea grass (Panicum maximum), Stylo (Stylosanthus hamata), Agathi (Sesbania grandiflora), Fodder cowpea (Vigna uinguiculata) and Vagai (Albizia lebbek).

For healthy and active animals, farmers are advised to provide a concentrate mixture of 50 parts of wheat, maize or broken rice, 25 parts of groundnut cake, 23 parts of wheat bran or rice bran, one part of mineral mixture and one part of common salt.

Breeding ratio

Does (female goats) normally come to heat in one to one and half years of age. The normal breeding ratio is one buck for 25 does. Goats can be bred three times a year. Usually a buck can service 20-25 does in a single breeding season. For pregnant does, farmers should provide 300 gm of concentrate feed comprising a mixture of groundnut cake, fish meal, rice, bran and mineral salts.The gestation period usually lasts for 147-149 days. It is advisable to keep pregnant does in separate enclosures with straw bedding and fresh water. In case of any difficulty during delivery of lambs immediate veterinary attention is necessary. As soon the lamb is born the mucous on its face and nostrils should be removed to help breathing. The newborn lamb is to be fed with its mother's milk immediately. Lactation period usually lasts for four months. In a well-maintained flock, healthy does yield about one and half litre of milk daily. In case the mother dies, foster does, that are in milking, may be allowed to feed the lamb.In the absence of any milking doe, cow or buffalo's milk may be fed to the lamb using a rubber teat. Generally mortality in kids is ten per cent and in adults 5-10 per cent.

Disclaimer: Please do your own added research. The above is only guideline. we are not responsible for any loss or profit of yours:)!

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