Goats, one of the world’s smallest domesticated livestock, have been actively managed for food and fiber earlier and longer than cattle and sheep. India possesses the largest goat population and ranks first in the world. In the prevailing socio-economic conditions in India where per capita holding is hardly 0.2 ha, goat rearing becomes an inseparable counterpart of mixed farming system. Goat rearing has been recommended as the best choice for the rural people in developing countries because of their wider adaptability, low investment, high fertility and fecundity, low feed and management needs, high feed conversion efficiency, quick pay off and low risk involved. The goat is multipurpose animal to provide milk, meat, hair (fur) and manure for soil. The world population of goats is approximately 860 million, of which 94% are found in the developing countries. Africa and Asia account for about 81% of the total population in the developing countries, including a bewildering variety of breeds. Goat rearing is the backbone of economy of small and landless farmers in India. It is an insurance against crop failure and provides alternate source of livelihood to farmers all the year round. Goats play an important role in income generation, capital storage, employment generation and improving household nutrition. As a whole it is a good project for entrepreneurs to invest.
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