General Information on Goat Rearing



1.   Goats are reared for milk and meat. Goat is a multi-functional animal and plays a significant role in the economy and nutrition of landless, small and marginal farmers in the country.

2.   Goat rearing is an enterprise, which has been practiced by a large section of population in rural areas. Goats can efficiently survive on available shrubs and trees in adverse harsh environment in low fertility lands where no other crop can be grown.

3.   Around the world, more people drink goat milk than cow milk. Also, more people eat chevon (goat meat) than beef.

4.   The World Health Organization says that more than 70% of the world’s population has some allergy to cow milk. The allergic symptoms could be stomachaches, gas, skin rashes and ear infections. An allergy to goat milk is very rare.

5.   According to many historians, goats were the first animals to be domesticated. For thousands of years, they have been utilized for their milk, meat, hair, and skins all over the world.

6.   Goat farming involves the raising and breeding of domestic goats (Capra aegagrus hircus) as a branch of animal husbandry. People farm goats principally for their meat, milk, fibre and skins. Goat farming can be very suited to production alongside other livestock (such as sheep and cattle) on low-quality grazing land.

7.   Goats are among the main meat-producing animals in India, whose meat (chevon) is one of the choicest meats and has huge domestic demand.

8.   Due to its good economic prospects, goat rearing under intensive and semi-intensive system for commercial production has been gaining momentum for the past couple of years.

9.   High demand for goat and its products with potential of good economic returns have been deriving many progressive farmers, businessmen, professionals, ex-servicemen and educated youths to take up the goat enterprise on a commercial scale.