Rearing goats for meat production is a financially profitable business. Additionally, any individual can start a small-scale goat farming business with a small investment. Even, a backyard goat farm is a commercially feasible project. However, you must have a specific land area for setting up the farm. Here in this article, we intend to explore how an entrepreneur can start a goat farming business successfully.
Commercially, you can raise goats for milk, meat, and fiber. Basically, goats are multi-functional animals. Goat milk is a popular item for producing full cream goat powder, skimmed goat milk powder, goat butter, goat milk cream, fresh goat milk, etc. Additionally, goat meat is a great source of consumable meat. It is very tasty, nutritious, and healthy. And goat’s wool is being used for many purposes and the skin of the goat plays a vital role in the leather industry.
Here are the 5 Steps to Start a Goat Farm
Basically, you can establish a goat farm in two ways. In the first option, you have to purchase the matured goats for breeding. And you will get the kids from those goats. The other option is procuring the goat kids of 2 to 3 months. And after growing and getting the marketable body weight, you can sell them.
Also, Read: Most Profitable Livestock Farming Business Ideas
The first option is suitable for large-scale farming. On the other hand, the second option is suitable for small-scale farming. However, if you are an absolute beginner, we advise you to start with the second option.
1. Create a Goat Farming Business Plan
There are several crucial aspects that entrepreneurs must consider in establishing a commercial goat farm.
First of all, survey the local market in your area. Identify the weekly or monthly consumption of goat meat. Additionally, check the retail and wholesale prices also.
Check how much area of land you have for setting up the farm. Accordingly, craft a project report. However, you have to consider the investment capacity also. Check, if there is any Govt. subsidy available in your state. If there, apply for the subsidy and loan at your nearby branch.
2. Setting Up the Farm
The primary criteria for establishing a farm in the land. Generally, one-acre land is sufficient for setting up a small-scale goat farm. However, for a large-scale operation, you need to have more space.
Establishing the farm in a proper way is one of the most important aspects of farm operations. Basically, proper housing design, infrastructure, and water availability are the things to consider. A wrong setup can enhance the working capital cost in many different ways. Therefore, it is advisable to plant the housing very carefully.
Apart from the housing, you must consider proper grazing land management, storage, and waste solution. Also, you can use the waste for preparing compost manure which you can apply for fodder cultivation.
Electricity and source of freshwater are mandatory on the farm. You must have some grazing land. Because the free-grazing system enhances overall productivity.
Furthermore, select employees carefully. Hire manpower who have the right skill and definitely have some practical experience. Identify vets nearby your farm. Contact them for support in an emergency.
3. Procuring Breeds
After establishing the farm, you have to procure the right breed. You must select the breed according to your end requirement. There are several different breeds are available in India for milk and meat production. Some of the most popular breeds are Jamunapari, Beetal, Black Bengal, Sirohi, Changthangi, Zalawadi, Damascus, Chigu, etc. Procure the animals in good health and have good physical features.
Select the breed carefully. You can choose both the pure and hybrid breeds according to the agroclimatic condition and market demand. Also, pay attention to green fodder management. Additionally, you can prepare the food at your farm also instead of buying it. It will help you to cut the extra cost.
Breeding farms may use breeder bucks or artificial insemination depending upon the facilities available.
4. Care & Management
You must provide proper care and management to the animals. Hire efficient staff for the farm operation. In addition to that, prepare the work schedule for daily basis operations. Some of the major areas are cleaning, feeding, breeding care, treatment of sick goats, kids care, and special care for pregnant goats.
Read: How to Start a Pig Farming Business
Proper vaccination is mandatory. Vaccinate the kids as per the recommended schedule. You can obtain 3 kidding in 2 years period by adopting optimal management conditions. Generally, you have to provide one buck for every 25 goats in one breeding season.
5. Have a Marketing Plan
Basically, slaughterhouses are the major consumer of goats. Additionally, contact the hotel, restaurants, and meat processing centers for bulk supply. In fixing the price, consider the transportation charges carefully.
Editorial Team at 99BusinessIdeas is a team of experts led by Rupak Chakrabarty with over 25 years of experience in starting and running small businesses. Started in 2010, 99BusinessIdeas is now one of the largest free small business resources in the industry.