The share of capital investment in a goat enterprise under rural conditions was observed to be 78.34% on goats, 17.31% on housing and 4.35% on tools and equipments. Capital investment per goat was lowest in large sized flocks (Rs. 753.64) and highest in small sized flocks (Rs. 885.98). Variable and fixed costs were in the ratio of 71:29. Labour accounted for 37.19%; and feeds and fodder 32.67% of the total expenditure. Income from milk, sale of surplus animals including added value of stock acceleration and sale of manure accounted for 56.88%, 41.05% and 2.07% respectively. Total returns/rupee of investment for desi goats were Rs. 1.23, 1.63 and 1.56 and for Barbari goats 1.60, 2.41 and 2.00 under small, medium and large size flocks respectively. A net income of Rs. 253.67, Rs. 423.42 and Rs. 237.81 was availed per annum/goat by small, medium and large flock keepers respectively. The returns may be increased further by 86.17% by small keepers, 18.37% by medium flock owners and 15.84% by large flock owners if flock is optimised.
Goat rearing has recently been recognized as an income generator and employment oriented enterprise for the rural poor. The intellectuals have emphasized the need for conducting research on the farmers' fields/animals. Deoghare and Bhattacharya (1993), Murdia (1993), Singh and Ram (1991) have worked on goat economics taking farmer's animals. Such studies are needed periodically under different agro climatic conditions. Thus, the present work was undertaken to study the economics of goat rearing under different flock sizes in rural area of Mathura district in U.P.
