Goat production status in different agro-climatic regions of India: An overview

Goats have been an integral component of farming system and support a large rural population of landless and marginal farmers. Goat population of India is 124.6 million with an over all growth rate of 3.05%. Goat production system of the country is highly diverse and has been broadly divided into six zones on the basis of agro-climatic conditions. Western Himalayan region covering Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and hilly areas of Punjab has temperate climate with heavy snowfall in winter. Chegu, Changthangi and Gaddi are the major goat breeds found in this region. They are reared in medium to large flocks in various forms of extensive production system for chevon and pashmina. Eastern Himalayan region covers mountainous areas of Assam, West Bengal and North East states. High rainfall, severe soil erosion, regular flood, shift cultivation and high forest cover (>60%) are the main characteristics of this region. Bengal and Assam Hill are predominated by non-descript and meat type goat breeds. Flocks are mostly small and maintained on post harvest crop residues. Dry Northern Region covers plains of Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Northern Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. This region is characterized by tropical and subtropical climate with low to moderate rainfall and recurring drought. Major forages sources of this region are of poor quality herbage and grazing land. This zone is gifted with 11 goat breeds and 33% goat population of country. Goats of this region are mostly of dual type (milk & meat) and medium to large in size. Flocks are small to medium size in high cropping intensity area and of large size in low cropping intensity area. Migration of goats during summer is common practice of this region. Eastern Region covers Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Assam and Orissa states. High rainfall, poor drainage and frequent flood are main characteristics of the region. Bengal and Ganjam are the major meat type goat breeds and are poor in milk production. Goat density is highest in this region of the country. Southern arid/semi-arid regions cover plateau and plain regions of Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala. Most of the area is drought prone and rivers are seasonal. Goats are mostly reared in mixed farming on range grazing. Osmanabadi, Sangamneri, Kanni Adu, Malabari and Attapaddy are major the meat type goat breeds. Southern coastal region covers west coast of Maharashtra, Karnataka and Kerala and east coasts of Orissa, Andhra and Tamil Nadu and is characterized with heavy rains. Goat population is moderate in west coast and less intensified in east. Most of the goats are non-descript with fusion of Osmanabadi, Sangamneri, Kanni Adu, Malabari and Attapaddy breeds. Lack of awareness to adopt supplementary feeding, proper housing, prophylaxis, poor marketing infrastructure for goat rearing, non-availability of elite breeding males and their excessive use are the major constraints in all the regions.