Curated By: Business Desk
Last Updated: September 08, 2023, 18:36 IST
Farmers are rearing animals for additional income.
Goats are reared for milk and meat, as their demand is all around the world.
The government, in collaboration with the National Bank of Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) and other local banks, have come up with schemes for goat farming. The fund is set up to provide financial support to the investors. Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF) is a scheme under the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairy. These days, animal husbandry businesses are common. Farmers are rearing animals for additional income. Goats are considered a multifunctional animal that plays a significant role in the economies of marginal farmers in the country. Goats are reared for milk and meat, as their demand is all around the world.
The central government and many state governments are helping farmers by reducing goat farming expenditures. The state government of Haryana is providing up to 90% subsidy to promote goat farming. The Central Government is ready to provide up to 35% subsidy for goat rearing. The state government of Madhya Pradesh is ready to provide almost 60% subsidy for goat rearing, whereas you can opt for concessions on the Pashu Kisan Credit Card, a scheme run by the Central government.
If you want to start goat farming, it is suggested that you start with at least 20 goats. This will help you earn up to Rs 2,50,000 annually. As per reports, people around the world consume chevon (goat meat) rather than beef or pork and prefer to drink goat milk.
Advantages of goat farming:
Initial investment for goat farming is low.
Goats are 2.5 times more economical than sheep.
Housing requirements and management problems with goats are lessened due to their small size.
Goats are ideal for mixed-species grazing.
Goat meat is more lean (low in cholesterol), and goat milk is easy to digest.
Goat rearing doesn’t include only milk production. It also includes selecting improved goat breeds and taking proper care of them according to the seasons. There are almost 21 types of goat breeds available in India, and it is important to choose the correct one for maximum profit.
As per reports, farmers from Haryana and Uttar Pradesh are adopting goat rearing as another source of income. Loans for goat farming are easily provided through several banks or financial institutions like SBI, NABARD, Canara Bank, the Micro Units Development and Refinance Agency (MUDRA) loan scheme, and IDBI Bank.