Economics of Goat Farming Under Traditional low Input Production System in Uttar Pradesh

A study on goats in 150 villages in 40 districts of Uttar Pradesh on different flock sizes and breeds was undertaken to evaluate the economic performance of goats under traditional farming system. Study revealed that small flock size (<15) was most profitable followed by flock sizes 16–30, 31–45 and >45. The net return worked out to be Rs. 1348, 1148, 974 and 865 per goat/annum, respectively. The net profit (per goat/annum) decreased linearly with the increase of flock sizes due to inadequate nutrition and management by larger goat keepers. Sale of goats was the major source of income (69.90%) followed by milk (31.90%) and manures (8.20%). Among breeds, Barbary gave highest return, due to its higher prolificacy followed by Jamunapari, Jaunpuri and non-descript. The net return per goat/annum worked out to be Rs. 1207, 1022, 966 and 916, respectively. The flock of Barbary and Jamunapari gave 31.9 and 11.9% higher net return per goat/annum over non-descript, respectively. In present study, the shrinking of grazing resources and large population of non-descript goats (79.20%) were the major constraints in making the goat farming more remunerative. Therefore, rearing of goat can not sustain only on grazing resources, needs to switch over to semi-intensive/intensive system of management. Similarly, the local breed needs to be improved by massive cross breeding programme to take the advantage of heterosis.