A mini review on climate change impacts on goat farming

Heat stress due to climate change has had a big effect on ecosystem systems, which affect the overall production of goats. Among all livestock species goats are considered more climates resilient. Area of interest for the researcher is to understand effect of high ambient temperatures on the overall health and production performance of goat. Increase in the average environmental temperature during the hot humid season can have a significant influence on the basic physiology of the rumen, thereby affecting the nutritional status of the animals. Goat species have browsing behavior to a changing climate than other ruminant species. They are the important source of income and as food to many poor and marginal farmers around the world. Goats are also the major means of employment and income source for women in rural areas. Source of income from goat sector mainly include milk, meat, manure, wool and skin. In the entire livestock animals, goat farming is more beneficial, compare to other farming, because it needs low resources and gives more income to farmers. Goat's milk and meat protein is important feed supplement for rural communities. Goats have adaptation capacities to maintain their production under adverse climate conditions. They have excellent browsing behavior as well as an efficient digestion, allowing them to remain productive in difficult environmental circumstances. Due to these characteristics features goat breeding is vital to minimizing and adapting to the negative consequences of climate change.