Goat farming business is turning out to be very common in the country. A healthy amount of profit can be generated in this business due to minimum capital and high market demand. Goats are primarily raised for milk, fibre, and meat. This business draws a lot of farmers since it can be executed with a moderately tiny area of grassland and limited resources.
There is very little risk and investment involved in the goat farm business than other kinds of farming. Let us learn about the steps to start a goat farm business.
1. Select the right breed
The correct breed must be picked on the basis of the motive of farming. There are certain breeds that produce more milk as compared to others. If the objective of farming is milk rearing, then you need to go for more milk-producing breeds. Below is a list of the best breeds for producing milk and meat:
· Boer Goat: This is the most common breed worldwide for meat production. This breed has a faster growth rate plus greater resistance to ailments because of selective breeding.
· Barbari: Barbari is a dual-purpose goat breed that is utilized for both meat and milk production. This breed has a fine feed-to-meat transformation ratio.
· Jamnapari: A dairy goat breed which is found primarily in the state of Uttar Pradesh. This breed is used for both milk and meat production. Also, it is among the most common breed utilized for commercial goat farming in the country.
· Sirohi: This goat breed is reared primarily in the state of U.P for producing meat. They are found in the Sirohi district of Rajasthan and are adapted to dry and hot conditions.
· Surti: The name of this breed is derived from the popular city in Gujarat, Surat. These are transported mainly through Surat and Baroda. Surti is among the finest dairy goat breeds of Indian origin.
· Beetal: Beetal, also called “Lahori goat,” is found in the state of Punjab, and Pakistan, as well. This goat breed is used for the production of both meat and milk. For doing intensive goat farming, these goats are perfect.
2. Decide on a location
Usually, goats survive in well-drained warm regions. Farmlands must be selected in villages distant from cities as the urban population can harm animal well-being.
A field covering a massive area is best for animals to wander around freely. Clean and fresh water supply need to be there around the farmland.
If the farmland is close to the market, it’ll aid you in purchasing and selling products without any trouble.
3. Building shelter for the goats
You must provide a shed covered with hay, sawdust, straw, or wood chips. It is necessary to clean the shed often for averting the outburst of diseases. Sick animal shed, general flock shed, ram or buck shed, shearing and storeroom, and lamp or kid shed are some very common shed types.
4. Feed the animals properly
Goats can graze on bushes, shrubs, grasses and can thrive on agricultural by-products, too. Typically, goats favour fodder of leguminous crops. Their feed must consist of 14-15 percent proteins as well as minerals such as ferrous carbonate, bone meal, zinc oxide, high-grade limestone, copper, etc. A goat eats about 5 to 7 kilograms of green fodder and one litre of water every day averagely.
5. Breeding and Maturity of goats
You, as a farmer, need to be aware of the breeding and maturity of goats. A period of 7 months is ideal for breeding. However, the weight needs to be kept within 100 to 105 lbs.
6. Notice the behaviour of the animals
Goats are generally violent when they are in bulks, which can be connected to the dimension and structure of their horns. The goats who have become mothers identify their children through vision and sound.
7. Adequate medical care
It is necessary to offer adequate medical care and timely vaccination to the animals. Try to keep the bucks and does separately because aggressive bucks can hurt the does. Maintain a stock of vital medications and vaccines within your farm.
8. Get a license for doing commercial goat farming
Get in touch with the local animal farming department for authorizing other processes to commence a goat farm business in India. Many schemes and programs offered by the Government of India provide goat farming loan to farmers.
NABARD is a reliable business loan provider in Delhi that grants subsidies for setting up a goat farming business. Banks like ICICI, HDFC, and SBI also offer loans for the same.
