In our country, the number of people who have embraced goat farming has been increasing in recent times. On the one hand, new entrepreneurs are becoming more attracted to this sector, while on the other hand, there are also many people who are being displaced from this profession due to the inability to manage the business properly. Therefore, before starting a goat farming business commercially, it is necessary to gain knowledge about it and to know what needs to be done to practically run a commercial and profitable goat farming business.
In the case of our country, goat farming is the only business among livestock farming for which there is no shortage of market for many years to come. Goat farming is practiced by farmers in almost all districts from the Himalayas to the Terai. Goat meat has also been accepted by people of all castes and religious communities. Therefore, there is a large market for goat meat in our country, and its market is also very secure.
Currently, 20% of the total meat consumption in our country is goat and sheep meat. But since the production of goats and sheep in our country cannot meet the demand for meat, millions of goats, sheep, etc., are imported from India and Tibet every year. However, consumers have been accusing the goats imported from India of being drugged to gain weight and make quick profits, which is harmful to health, and the meat is not as tasty as that of local goats.
The price of goats and sheep is increasing every year, and their consumption is also increasing every year. If goats and sheep are produced in large quantities in our country, they will not be imported from India. It has great potential to become a sustainable and reliable source of employment and income generation in this country.
Related article:-
Goat farming is a business with immense potential
Goat farming is a low-risk and very safe market business. This business can be started with a small investment of two to four local breeds of goats and expanded gradually, and does not require much technical expertise. Since people of all ethnic groups love it very much, the demand for goat meat in our country is very high. Even now, goat meat accounts for 20 percent of the total meat consumed in our country. According to government statistics, goat meat worth 5 billion is imported from India and Tibet annually. This also shows how immense the potential of goat farming is.
Goat farming is a very suitable and profitable business for our country in terms of geographical suitability, abundance of grass required for goats, manpower required for care, etc. Goat farming is more popular among farmers in Asia and Africa. Although almost all ethnic groups have been raising goats in our country since ancient times, their commercial expansion has not been significant. According to experts, goat farming can be done from 300 meters in the Terai to 4,000 meters in the Himalayas. Goat farming can be an important option for strengthening the agricultural economy of our country, reducing unemployment and poverty, and generating income.
About 500,000 goats and sheep are imported from India every year. About 100,000 goats and sheep are also coming to our country for meat from Tibet. Out of the 16 billion rupees exported from our country every year on meat and meat-based products, the largest amount, i.e., about 5 billion rupees, is spent on purchasing goats and sheep. It is certainly not natural for our small country to spend so much money abroad on meat and meat-based animals.
Moreover, in a country like ours, where unemployment is rife, this business, which can create employment within the country and significantly increase income, is a business that any Nepali can do using simple knowledge and skills. Goat farming is becoming increasingly important as it is mainly a nutritious grass-based occupation and can also be fed with some amount of feed as per the requirement. In a country like ours, where meat consumption is increasing and where there is ample barren land and hills where grass can be grown
The annual report of the Ministry of Agricultural Development states that there are currently around 9.2 million goats in Nepal.
The increasing demand and price of goat meat, the occasional bird flu disease in chickens, etc., are having an impact. Investment in goat farming is also increasing compared to before and is expected to increase further in the coming days. Currently, goat and goat meat account for about 20 percent of the total meat market in Nepal.
Goat farmers and entrepreneurs have also shown a tendency to construct and manage goat sheds, manage feed and water, and raise goats more systematically and scientifically than before.
Currently, Nepalis consume an average of 10 kilograms of meat per year. The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) recommends that an adult consume 22 kilograms of meat-based protein per year.
However, the price of goat meat has increased due to the lower physical growth rate of goats compared to pigs and chickens, lower reproductive capacity, etc. However, production costs can be reduced by raising goats systematically, and successful farmers and entrepreneurs are doing so.
Looking at the following figures on the contribution of various breeds of livestock to the country’s total meat consumption, from a market perspective, the future of goat farming seems to be the safest in Nepal compared to other livestock raised for meat.
What are the benefits of goat milk?
Pashmina clothes produced from Chyangra in the winter months are being exported at a good price. Although goats are mainly raised for meat in our country, there is a lot of potential for them to be raised for milk as well. Because some people who are allergic to milk and cannot digest it can easily digest goat milk.
In addition, goat milk is also useful for patients with diseases such as gallstones and tuberculosis. Compared to the milk of other animals, tuberculosis bacteria cannot thrive in goat milk, and its fat content is low, which has increased its usefulness. For these various reasons, government and non-government bodies have been accepting goat farming as a business worthy of promotion.
The status of animal meat consumption in our country
| Type of livestock | Meat production ( tonne ) | Percentage % |
| Cattle, buffalo | 167868 | 60.4 |
| goat | 52809 | 19.02 |
| pig, pork | 17923 | 6.45 |
| Chicken | 36085 | 12.9 |
| Duck | 218 | 0.07 |
| Sheep | 2722 | 0.98 |
| Total | 277625 | 100 |
Characteristics of goat farming
- This business does not require great technical skills, expertise, or investment. You can start with two to four mother goats and gradually expand your investment and business every year. For detailed investment information, see the goat farming project in this book.
- Although Boer and cross goats have a faster physical growth rate than local goats, they are more profitable, but since the reproductive capacity of other goats is lower than that of Khari goats, even if the mother goats are local, if the goats raised for breeding are Boer or other large breeds, they can produce relatively more meat. However, if you can select and breed goats selected from local goats without any relationship, you can also get more benefits from the goat farming business.
- Since some people in society always prefer the meat of goats and goats, and since antibiotics are not used indiscriminately in goats like chickens, the market for goats and goats does not seem to be decreasing.
- Goat farming is a business with very low risk and a very safe market. Compared to poultry, pig and cattle farms, there has been very little investment in goat farming to date, and there is a lot of investment potential. If it is raised on a small scale, it can be done with a small investment compared to other livestock.
Conclusion:-
The number of people who are currently taking up goat farming in Nepal seems to be increasing significantly. On the one hand, the attraction of new entrepreneurs in this field is increasing, while on the other hand, the number of people who are being displaced from this profession due to the inability to manage it properly is also increasing.
Therefore, before starting goat farming commercially, it is absolutely necessary to gain knowledge about it and to know what needs to be done to practically run a commercial and profitable goat farming business.
Therefore, in the case of Nepal, goat farming is one such business among livestock farming for which there is no shortage of market for the next several years.
Jeevan Shrestha is a fitness trainer and agricultural expert. For over five years, I have been running a goat and poultry farm, committed to growing both the agribusiness and a healthy lifestyle. The name of my poultry farm is Dharan Poultry Farm.
2 thoughts on “Agriculture Goat Farming Business Plan”
Comments are closed.