Empowering rural women & girls through Goat Farming

Goat rearing or goat farming is a business enterprise, which is practised by a large section of people in rural areas. It plays a significant role in the Indian economy and nutrition of landless, small and marginal farmers or livestock owners in the nation. Goats are among the main meat producing animals and stay in huge domestic demand throughout the year. Goat rearing under semi-intensive and intensive system for production has been gaining momentum. Several goat farms have been established across the country. Its easy accessibility, favourable market conditions and improved technologies are also retaining the attention of entrepreneurs on a
large scale.
In India, we have large and genetic resources of goats as they play a significant role in economic upliftment, especially in rural areas. This sector is gaining potential in employment generation and reducing poverty.
The Girl Power Project funded by the European Union and implemented by the All India Institute of Local Self-Government in Jharkhand is playing the role of independent agents of change that bring transformative change in the lives of 5000 women and girls of the state. The project team organised two training programmes, one from May 30 to June 1, and another from June 2 to June 4, 2022, in Devipur Block of Deoghar District, Jharkhand. In this training, 100 women beneficiaries participated to learn about goat farming/rearing practices, skills, technology, and other aspects of goat farming to take up as business.
In the opening session of training program, women beneficiaries were briefed about the objective of the training programme by a team member. The certified goat farming trainer explained the detailed process of goat farming. He covered aspects like accommodation, feed and fodder cultivation, labours, veterinary aid, water requirement and its demand and potential market. On the second and third day of the training program, the trainer also explained grazing methods suitable in the state. Farmers should be aware of practical knowledge of grazing options available and how to increase the productivity of goats. He briefed about two methods: Semi-intensive and zero grazing. In semi-intensive grazing, goats are allowed outside for grazing, exposed to sun, during the day time in the fenced field, while in zero grazing, goats are not allowed to go out of pasture, their forage is brought to the shed.

Objective of the training programme

The significance of goats, their nature and scope of goat farming business
Goat breed selection for specific purpose suitable with the local climate
Goat feeds and concentrates for both dairy products and meat
Goat health care, diseases, treatment and other prevention
Goat farming business plan
Covering Commercial farming of goats for fibre, meat and other products
Goat farming is highly beneficial, especially for unemployed farmers. There are higher returns in goat farming. For unemployed people in rural areas, goat farming has proven to be basic source of income throughout the year. In India, not only goat breeds have huge demand but also their products like meat manure, milk and fibre too.
It is believed that goat farming is mainly done by labourers, landless, or by marginal farmers and India is the largest producer of goat meat, milk and fibres in comparison to other countries. In the initial stage, it might be small employment but gradually the demand and returns increase. Even state and central government provides assistance to economically weaker section in terms of loans and subsidies.

Benefits of Goat Farming in India

Employment: For labour, less literate and unskilled, it can be a good source of income as the initial investment in setting up business is quiet low.
Food: Meat and milk extracted from goat.
Dung and Waste material: Dung and waste material of goat is used as farmyard manure by agricultural farmers.
Skin or fibre: By using goat skin or fibre, belts, pelts, hair and wool are prepared which generate income.

Advantages of goat farming

Goats are easy to handle and can survive on trees or shrubs in adverse harsh environment
Low labour requirement
Initial investment for goat farming is low
As goats are small in size, their facilities and amenities are minimal
The demand for meat is increasing faster than the growth in goat population
Goat meat is of great appeal because of its health benefits as it is low in cholesterol, fat and calories
Market demand is high throughout the year
Goat milk helps in curing diseases like Cough, Asthma and Diabetes

Goat breeds recommended for Goat Farming in Jharkhand

Black Bengal, Jamunapari, Sirohi, Beetal and Barbari are the meat producing goat breeds suitable for the farming system in the state. It is suggested to purchase quality and disease-free goats aged between 6 to 12 months after examining their mother’s udder and father’s teats.
For example – Black Bengal goats are dwarf goats and are a good source of milk, meat and leather. They are easy to breed because of their small size, require less maintenance and have ability to multiply.

Outcome

The training programme will improve efficiency of women beneficiaries by educating them on how they make use of resources available to them in efficient and balanced way for Goat Farming. Also, this programme provided a roadmap of latest technology used in goat farming. Training programme will lead to skilled behaviour and pave the way for self-employment opportunities among the beneficiaries to promote women entrepreneurship.

Feedback

Most of the women beneficiaries stated that women in rural areas are at enormous disadvantage, given their limited access to the resources available and male members being the decision maker. These training programs give an opportunity to most of the women beneficiaries to fight back their miseries.
Rural population which largely survives on their daily wages were highly affected due to the pandemic, but now they can start their venture in goat farming and become independent.
Starting their own venture becomes difficult in rural areas because of limited awareness and access especially to technology, but such training programs organised by the Girl Power Project has given a hope to women of the state.