Mr Bimal Baghi, a successful goat farmer 

SITUATION ANALYSIS

Shri. Bimal Baghi, a farmer from the remote village of Baludera, Baratang is associated with ICAR-CIARI goat improvement project since 2018. He is cultivating paddy, followed by vegetable in his 2 acres of lands and rearing goats since last 15 years. Before joining in the project he was having 12 goats. From the paddy and vegetable cultivation he is earning Rs 1.5 lakhs annually and managing his family of5 members with the income. From the goat he used to earn approximately Rs 30000 to 35000/- annually by selling of goats.
He narrated the following problems and management practices followed while doing goatery and other allied activities before getting associated in the project namely ,low growth rate of the goats ,low milk yield ,lack of good quality breeding buck ,high mortality due to bloat, diarrhea, approximately 6-8 goats death per year due to disease,foot rot problem ,dependent on grazing for feeding,no knowledge about the mineral feed supplement , deworming , scientific breeding practices,lack of veterinary aid and help for treatment of the sick goats.

TECHNOLOGY INTERVENTIONS

During the field visit of the Data Enumerator of the AICRP-Goat improvement project, the farmer approached the staff and was adopted under the project in 2018 .He was given the technical know-how of the scientific goat rearing practices, scientific breeding, management, feeding, housing, timely deworming, health management and selection of superior germplasm. He started feeding mineral supplementation and doing regular deworming which resulted in great impact in terms of body weight gain and reproductive efficiency. A breeding buck was also provided to him for upgradation of the existing stock for higher body weight. After introduction of the breeding buck to his farm, he started breeding with the elite buck and could able to increase the stock to 23. The body weight gain was recorded and found that at 3 months the body weight of male is 7.65 kg and female is 6.50 kg respectively. He is also using the breeding buck for genetic upgradation of the other goats of his village.
After adopting scientific goat farming now he is managing his flock in a very systematic way. Every morning he gives feed ( supplementation of wheat/rice.) with mineral supplement (provided from ICAR-CIARI, Port Blair) and then allows them for grazing in forest /open field area near to house for 5 to 6 hrs. The ICAR-CIARI staff visit his farm at regular intervals and record observation of body weight and biometric dimensions.He was also advised for proper cleaning and management of goat shelter for prevention of diseases.

IMPACT / OUTCOME OF TECHNOLOGY ADOPTION

After adopting the technological backstopping from ICAR-CIARI, Port Blair, now he is supporting his family with the additional income from the goateryand goat farming has become a major part of his family’s livelihood. With the constant support and guidance of ICAR-CIARI, he has increased his stock to 23 goats and very much happy about the progress. Other noticeable impacts are:decrease in mortality to less than 5% from 25-30% ,increase in body weight gain ( at 3 month of age body weight of male is 7.65 kg and female is 6.50),increase in kidding rate ( selecting the doe with multiple kidding) and culling the doe with single kidding,selection of does with twin kidding,scientific housing with raised platform ,started deworming and feeding of mineral mixture regularly,increase in the knowledge about the right time for breeding ,feeding of colostrum ,selling of goats on the basis of weight not by size .

INCOME GENERATION

Before adopting the technology from ICAR-CIARI, Port Blair under the project, his annual income from goat faming was approx. Rs. 35,000/- which has increaseduptoRs. 60,000/.

WAY FORWARD

He is willing and interested to increase his flock to 40-50 and become a role model on goat farming .

Contributors : Jai Sunder, P. Perumal, R RAlyethodi, A K De & D Bhattacharya