SEVAI Proposes for setting up a goat farm in Trichy

Goat Market survey

“SEVAI Proposes for setting up a goat farm in Trichy” said Selvamani, the field coordinator of SEVAI.Selvamani, a SEVAI functionary who has experience in Goat rearing is preparing with other members of SEVAI SHGs and functionaries of SEVAI for setting up a goat rearing project. Selvamani undertakes a detailed survey of goat farms, and also visited Goats market in Samayapuram to know the wide range of goats which can sustain the climatic conditions of SEVAI target area of Trichy rural areas. Selvamani comes out with his early findings that aside from establishing a daily routine of feeding, watering, exercising and grazing the goats, there should also be a monthly or bi-monthly, semi-annually or annually schedule to follow to include cleaning or grooming, hair trimming, hoof trimming, and veterinary checkups. Goats are extremely hardy creatures and they are the ‘poor man’s cow’ and they are Hardy – thriving in harsh conditions, Easy and cheap to feed as they eat almost anything, Breed rapidly, A great source of manure, and Give healthy & nutritious milk, and meat either for household consumption or for income. Because of this they are great for poor families. So, with even a few goats, a household is able to sell the kids at the local market, drink the vitamin-rich milk, and even save some cash. In poor villages women are typically the most disadvantaged – supporting most of the family burdens, children, water, health, nutrition, etc,… but totally dependent on their men-folk for money. SEVAI identifies the most vulnerable people within the communities who received goats from Government and train them in goat-rearing and management. They can basically thrive on just about any food source, and the known breeds we have today are especially resilient to most diseases and ailments that affect many farm animals. SEVAI proposes to undertake goat rearing project and takes initial steps for a successful goat farming.SEVAI team has dialogue with local communities and also experts to decide early on as to what kind of goats to raise. It is understood that there are goats that are valued for their milk and meat. It is also a good way of limiting expenses when it comes to buying goat rearing tools. The team also discusses and to decide exactly how many animals would be viable for goat farm; and this being done in relation to the size of available land, SEVAI team opines “although goats are herd creatures, they do not thrive well in solitary existence and SEVAI tries to get at least a couple of pairs of goats to rear. One way of ensuring that to have an easy time goat rearing is to make sure that SEVAI chooses and builds the goats' house carefully and earmark a patch of land where this project grows the fodder for goats and it is decided to ensure that the space is properly ventilated especially during warmer seasons with a good drainage system to help keep the area clear of animal wastes, enough bedding space for each goat about 4 meters of floor space each, with separate feeding and watering stations, the focus is on Quality than Quantity. All of the standards and actions required regarding basic goat care, health and welfare apply equally to the farming of goats. The large numbers of goats require substantial adaptation and adjustment to housing, feeding, general management and marketing strategies”. -Govin