Improved goat production systems

Non-plot level diversification

Overview

In the Patlakhawa area, non-plot level diversification focused on scientific goat rearing in the villages of Chatt Singimari and Sukdhaner Kuthi. The initiative aimed to enhance profitability for farmers through efficient resource use, specifically for those already involved in goat rearing. An impressive 80% of the community had prior experience in goat rearing, with many households owning one or two goats. Goat rearing was seen as a financially viable option due to the high market value of goat meat and the relatively low input costs, particularly since farmers did not need to invest in extra fodder, as the available grass was sufficient. The decision to prioritize goat rearing over duck rearing in this diversification effort was driven by factors such as widespread community acceptance, higher profitability, and the minimal investment required. While goat rearing proved promising, the need for appropriate shelters, especially during the rainy season, was identified as a key requirement for maintaining goat health and ensuring long-term success. Overall, this approach capitalized on existing knowledge and market demand, making it a practical and profitable option for farmers.

Who is working in the Pathway

The partners involved in this pathway include UBKV, Satmile Satish Club o Pathagar (SSCOP), CIMMYT, ARD, KVK, FPC, Prani Bandhu, and Prani Mitra.

Activities

The planned activities for this pathway include

  • Designing hygienic and affordable housing solutions to ensure optimal goat health.

  • Ensuring year-round availability of roughage and fodder for goats.

  • Preparing low-cost concentrate feed for better nutrition.

  • Implementing early weaning and adopting creep feeding techniques.

  • Providing information balanced nutrition to promote optimal health and productivity.

  • Routine deworming and comprehensive vaccination programs.

  • Organizing gender-inclusive exposure visits, including clusters for women, linked with ARD.

  • Conducting farmers' meetings, trainings, and health camps to raise awareness about goat health, with IEC materials.

  • Introducing a fodder production system, including low-cost azolla and hydroponic fodder production units.

  • Educating farmers on controlling in-breeding, communicated verbally during meetings and training sessions.

  • Training farmers, FPC, and cluster members on health monitoring, intensive rearing practices, low-cost feed preparation, and constructing well-ventilated, clean sheds.

  • Capacity building for local technical master trainers (one man and one woman) to support the community.

  • Creating a WhatsApp group for real-time assistance on goat health issues (Smart Goat Farming and tele-medicine).

  • Leveraging the partner's experience in entrepreneurship development and their network with government offices to facilitate the uptake of this pathway.

  • Linking with government initiatives such as the National Livestock Mission's "Goat Cluster and FPC Development" for the distribution of medicines like anthelmintics and vitamins.

  • Utilizing the experience of a few local farmers to enhance goat farming practices.

Results for each year – achievements and what we have learned

In the first year, significant progress was made in the goat rearing pathway. Eight locality-wise groups were formed, including gender-inclusive and women-specific clusters. Exposure visits were organized to enhance learning among farmers. Some farmers participating in both the project and the government project clusters were identified, offering potential synergies for future collaboration. One round of training for farmers was conducted, and a few low-cost azolla cum hydroponic fodder production units were constructed for some farmers to improve the year-round availability of fodder. Additionally, a health camp was held, involving both project and non-project goat rearers. Awareness efforts were bolstered through the distribution of IEC booklet, and there is a promising prospect of expanding outreach through collaboration with the ARD, Cooch Behar. These initial achievements highlight the foundation laid for further development in goat rearing, with continued focus on training, health monitoring, and sustainable fodder production.