Goat farming is not a new enterprise. Rearing goats is a profitable business. Rural people have been raising goats since the time immemorial.
Generally goat farming means ‘rearing goats for the purpose of harvesting milk, meat and fiber’.
At present, goat farming has become a profitable business and it requires a very low investment because of its multi-functional utility. Commercial goat farming business is contributing greatly to the economy and nutrition of a country.
Goats are multi-functional animals. You can produce a wide variety of products from goats, such as milk, meat, fiber, manure etc. Goat’s milk is used for producing full cream goat powder, skimmed goat milk powder, goat butter, goat milk cream, fresh goat milk etc.
Goat meat is a great source of consumable meat which is very testy, nutritious and healthy. And goat’s wool is being used in many purposes and skin of goat plays a vital role in leather industry.
Global population is increasing gradually, and total food demand is also increasing. And commercial goat production can help for fighting food scarcity.
Along with making profits, goat farming is a good way of employment and people can easily start this business.
However, here we are describing more about the advantages of goat farming business and the required steps for starting a lucrative business.
Advantages of Goat Farming
There are many advantages of goat farming business. You can also raise goats along with your other livestock animals. Goats have been considered as poor man’s cow (mini cow) for the poor people because of it’s immense contribution in rural economy and national income.
Goat products like milk and meat is not only nutritious and easily digestible food but also a great source of regular income for the poor, landless and marginal farmers.
As goats are small sized animal , so they are easily maintained. Even they are easily maintained and cared by women and children. For successful goat farming business, you need to do some common tasks such as feeding, milking and caring.
These simple tasks do not require much equipment, capital, labor or hard work. The main advantages of starting goat farming business are described below.
- Commercial goat farming is a very old business, and many people are already doing this business for making profits.
- Starting a goat farming business requires low initial investment or capital.
- Goats don’t require huge area for housing because their body size is comparatively smaller than other livestock animals.
- Usually goats are very friendly in nature and very lovable.
- Goats are good breeders and they reach sexual maturity within their 7-12 months of age and give birth of kids within a short time. And some goat breed produce numerous kids per kidding.
- Risks are less for goat farming (even in drought prone areas) than any other livestock farming business.
- Both male and female goats have almost equal value/price in the market.
- No religious taboo against goat farming and meat consumption.
- Goat meat and milk are cholesterol free and easily digestible.
- Goat milk is used for making various types of foods and it’s very easy to digest than milk of cows.
- Commercial goat farming business has created a potential way of employment for unemployed people.
- Goats are multi purpose animal. They can produce milk, meat, skin, fiber and manure at the same time.
- There is no need of a high end housing system for goats. Even they can easily share their living place with their owners or his/her other livestock animals.
- Goats are very suitable for mixed farming with other domestic animals.
- Diseases are less in goats than other domestic animals.
- Goats are easily available, comparatively cheaper in price, easy to maintain and always have a friendly disposition.
- They are capable of adopting themselves with almost all types of agro climatic environments or conditions. They can tolerate high and low temperature throughout the world and live happily. They also can tolerate hot climate more than other animals.
- According to the investment per unit they produce more than other domestic animals. And the ROI (return of investment) ratio is very good.
- Goats are generally smaller in size but reach slaughter age faster.
- Goats are called the “foster mother of human”. Because their milk is considered as the best milk for human consumption than any other species of livestock animal’s milk. And their milk is low cost, nutritious, wholesome and easily digestible. All aged people from child to old one can easily digest goat’s milk. Goat milk also has lesser allergic problems. And used as an Ayurveda medicine for the people who are ailing with diabetes, asthma, cough etc.
- Goat milk is suitable for preparing various types of milk products. And goat meat has a huge demand and high price in the local and international markets. Even you can consider exporting your products to the foreign countries for more profits.
- Goats can be milked as often as required. This also prevent refrigeration costs and milk storage problems.
- You can use the goat’s manure as a high quality natural fertilizer in crop field. This will directly help to maximize crop production.
- As goat farming business is very profitable, so many govt. and non govt. banks are providing loans for starting this business.
- This business require less labor and you can easily use your family labor for raising goats.
- Commercial goat farming business is a great source of employment and income. So unemployed educated people can easily create a great employment and income source through raising goats commercially.
- Along with the above advantages, there are also many other advantages of raising goats commercially.
How to Start Goat Farming Business
Starting a goat farming business is relatively easy and simple. Even the beginners can also raise some goats.
Although, we recommend having training on goat farming system before starting this business commercially.
For starting and maintaining a profitable and successful business, you must have to make a proper and effective goat farming business plan and go according to the plan. Here we are shortly describing the necessary steps for starting goat farming business.
Try to Complete a Training First
You can start small scale production whenever you want. But for commercial production, it will be better if you can complete a short or full training.
Learning from existing farmers is also a very good option. Actually practical experience is much more important than book knowledge.
Today, there are many government or private NGO available throughout the world who are providing training facilities and other supports for starting and operating this business.
Select a Very Good Farm Area
Always try to select a suitable farm land/area for your business that has all required facilities for successful goat farming business. The necessary facilities for goat farming business includes the followings.
- Great source of fresh and clean water supply.
- Availability of all types of equipment.
- Easily available food source.
- Fertile field for crop, grasses and other green plant production. Feeding green food keeps the animal healthy, productive and reduces feeding costs.
- Availability of full time labor.
- Good transportation and veterinary service.
- A market near the farm land so that you can sell your products easily and buy necessary commodities.
Choose the Products You Want to Produce
Goats are raised for many different purposes. For example, they are raised for meat, milk, fiber and skin production. And also for producing fancy goats for raising as pets.
So, determine your production purpose first, before starting this business. A good and clear plan will help you later.
Choose the Right Goat Breed
There are different types of goat breeds available around the world for rearing in the goat farm like Pygmy goats, Dwarf goats of Nigeria, Cashmere goats, Black Bengal goat, Mountain goats, Boer goats etc.
Some of the available goat breeds are famous for tasty and nutritious meat and some breeds are famous for milk production. Some Indian goats are also highly meat and milk productive.
Pygmy goats originated in Africa. They are good as pets and mainly used in the program and goat show. A lot of people rear them as pet instead of meat and milk production.
Dwarf goats and pygmy goats are of the same origin. Dwarf goats are of different colors like black, chocolate, gold, color, etc. Wide variety of colors is a major factor that makes them so popular.
Dairy goats are raised mainly for commercial milk production or for family milk consumption. They can also be displayed at trade shows. According to the association of dairy goats, Saanen and Togenburgs are the world famous dairy goat breed.
Cashmere goats are popular for wool production. Mountain goats are blunt, square looking covered with soft white, woolly, dense undercoat.
Boer goats originated in South Africa and suitable for highly meat production. Some studies say that Boer goats are very expensive and demand exceeds supply which attracts investors.
However, choosing the right breeds for commercial goat farming will ensure high profit. Choose proper breed according to your desired production and geographical location.
You can also visit some of your nearest goat farm or livestock training center to learn more about the suitable goat breeds in your area.
Make Shelter or Housing for Your Goats
Housing is an important factor for profitable goat farming business. Small scale farmer generally keep their goats with their other livestock animals.
But for commercial production, a good quality goat housing system is highly recommended for better production. A good house not only give shelter and protects the goats from predators but also prevent them from various types of goat diseases.
Always keep the house neat, clean and dry. Make proper ventilation and drainage system inside the house. Also ensure the availability of sufficient fresh air and light inside the house. Housing and goat farm design are of various types according to the production type and breed.
Feeding Your Goats
Well goat feed management is also very essential for commercial goat farming business. Goats are not carnivorous animal. They don’t eat other animals.
Usually goats prefer to eat grasses, plants, shrubs, weeds and herbs. Besides those feeds, goat also need energy, portion, vitamins, fiber and water for proper growth and for making better profits from this business. It will be better if you have sufficient knowledge about what to feed goats.
Breeding
Goats are naturally very good breeders. So, you don’t have to worry much about breeding your goats.
Your goats will breed easily and will produce kids if you keep good ratio of bucks and does in your flock.
Generally one mature buck is enough for breeding 25 to 30 does.
Breeding season vary depending on the variety or breeds. Some goat breed breed and produce kids throughout the world. And some breed produce kids once a year.
Care & Management
Always try to take good care of your goats. Never feed them contaminated food or polluted water. Keep their house as much neat and clean as possible. And clean their house on a regular basis.
For commercial production, keep kids, bucks and does separated for each other. Take extra care to the breeding bucks, kids and pregnant does. Keep the kids with their mother for several weeks after their birth.
Avoid using same buck for mating with numerous does at same day. Artificial insemination is also a great way for breeding your does.
Vaccinate them timely, for keeping them free from all types of diseases and health problems. If possible, stock some necessary vaccines and medicines and keep good relation with a veterinary doctor.
Vaccination
Various types of viral diseases like PPR, goat pox, foot and mouth diseases and bacterial diseases like anthrax, brucelosis etc. are very harmful for goats. So, proper vaccination is a must to prevent this types of diseases.
The does which was not vaccinated PPR, goat pox, brucellosis vaccines previously, vaccinate them at the fifth month of gestation period.
Vaccinate the kids PPR vaccine when they reach 5 months of age. Always take good care of your animals and vaccinate them timely to prevent unwanted health hazard and diseases. See the chart below.
| Vaccine Name | Applying Rate | Applying Method |
| PPR | 1 ml | Injection Under Skin |
| Foot & Mouth Disease | 2 ml | Injection Under Skin |
| Anthrax | 1 ml | Injection Under Skin |
Marketing
Marketing is the most important but easiest step of goat farming business. Goat products like meat and milk has a huge local and global demand and popularity. Almost all types of people like goat milk and meat.
So, a good market is already available in almost every place of the world. You can easily sell your products in your nearest market. Commercial producers can target the international market and export the products in foreign countries.
Total Expenditure & Profit
Total expenditure and profit from goat farming business depends on the farming system, location, breeds, feeding cost and some other factors.
By good planing and proper management you can easily make goat farming business profitable. Small scale farming require less investment and profit can contribute your regular income.
On the other hand, large scale or commercial production require high investment and some other additional costs.
Some Essential Tips For Successful Goat Farming Business
For getting desired production and profit from goat farming business, you have to know properly how to raise goats. Here are some tips for raising goats and making maximum profit.
- Always try to keep your goat healthy and strong.
- Always choose the right and high productive goat breeds for your business.
- Try to learn more about goat farming business from the nearest livestock training center or expert producers in your area.
- Ensure a big area so that your goats can roam freely, because they like to live in groups.
- Make sure the availability of all equipment which are essential for goat farms.
- To produce better milk, meat and to keep the goat free from diseases, make sure a well bred conduct.
- Provide them sufficient clean water, food and fresh grasses according to their daily demand.
- Be more careful about goat feeding. Never feed them contaminated food or polluted water.
- Take some extra care to the pregnant doe, breeding buck and kids.
- Feed the buck some extra nutritious food during the period of mating.
- To improve your goat’s health contact with a veterinarian regularly (if possible).
- Give salt and mineral with a lot of water during the summer season.
- Keep your goats away from cold and rain to avoid mass death.
In short, goat farming is a traditional, profitable, risk-less and very easy business because of its multi utility and fast growing rate.
Goats also can be used as a tool for poverty reduction and play an important role in the economic growth of a country.
Although some risks go with every business. Proper care and good management can ensure better production and high profit.
Good luck & may God bless you!
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