Goats are "Poor Man's Cow as they provide livelihood 🌿

SEVAI promotes goat rearing in Thottiyapatty village as a sustainable livelihood for landless families, marginal farmers, and especially women. Goats require minimal space and low investment, making them ideal for households without agricultural land. Often called the "poor man's cow," they provide income, food, and financial security. Goats reproduce quickly, often with twins or triplets, allowing families to grow their herd and sell animals when cash is needed for school fees, emergencies, or household expenses. Their milk and meat fetch good market prices, while goat milk, rich in protein, calcium, and vitamins, is easier to digest than cow's milk, helping combat malnutrition. Goats are low-maintenance, feeding on shrubs, kitchen waste, and common grazing lands, and their manure serves as organic fertilizer, reducing farming costs. Goat rearing also empowers women and marginalized groups by giving them control over care, management, and income. To strengthen the rural economy, SEVAI links goat rearing with value addition and market access, such as training farmers to process milk into cheese, yogurt, or ghee. Farmer producer groups enable collective bargaining for better prices, while connections to government schemes and microfinance provide veterinary care, insurance, and credit for herd expansion. By integrating skill development, market linkages, and eco-friendly practices, SEVAI builds stronger household incomes and more resilient, self-reliant villages. 🌿Govin