GOATS

GOATS
Goats can survive on very poor pastures, and, in fact, will eat almost anything-grass, the leaves of trees, and farm or household refuse. They are extensively reared in the drier and more densely peopled parts of the world. The major areas in which they are reared are North Africa and the Sahara, the Middle East, Central Asia, India and Pakistan, China, South-East Asia and East Africa. India has the largest number of goats in the world: one-sixth of the world's total. Goats produce milk, meat and hides.

GOAT BREADING IN INDIA In India, there are about 124.36 million goats (Livestock Census 2003). Bihar (includ­ing Jharkhand) ol3Cupies first place as regards their number, followed by Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh (including Uttaranchal), Madhya Pradesh (including Chhattisgarh) and Maharashtra.

DISTRIBUTION The majority of goats in the country are desi or non-descript. But certain outstanding breeds are reared in specified areas such as:
(i) Himalaya or Angora Goat Also known as gaddi or Chamba breed, Himalaya or Angora goat is reared in the states of Himachal Pradesh, Haryana and Kashmir. It is both a beast of burden and a meat producer. The goat produces soft and warm paslllnina hair known as mohair. The yield of hair varies from 3/4 ounce to four ounce per goat.'

(ii) jam/lnapari This breed is found between the Rivers Yamuna and Chambal. It is a dual purpose breed, providing meat and milk. The.average production of milk is two-three kg a day.
(Hi) Barbari Barbari goat is popular in urban areas of Delhi, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh. The average daily production of milk is one-two kg, while the total production during lactation is 200-300 kg.

Besides these breeds, many exotic breeds have been used for q:oss-breeding, e.g., Alpine, Nubian, Samnen, Toggenberg, Angora, etc.