Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur (SP)
Kundapur, Sep 16: Goat farming, sheep rearing and poultry farming are also activities that are easier and have potential of bringing good revenue. With interest and dedication, one can register success in these activities. These activities can also be sources of revenue as a supplemental activity.
In Udupi district goat farming and sheep rearing have not been largely undertaken. Only a handful of people rearing sheep and goats can be seen. Anand Naik living at Kancharu Ammanavara Jeddu near Ampar in Kundapur taluk has provided proof that goat rearing can be a good activity, as he himself has been conducting this activity for the last eight years.
Naik has, by experience, established a good grip on this activity. He has over 30 adult goats. Naik provides green grass and readymade nutritious food to the animals. For him, goat rearing is a passion. He says that in this region, people can succeed if they conduct goat farming in a systematic manner.
Naik had bought a goat eight years back for the purpose of medicine. These goats have since multiplied to the current number. As people rarely buy goats directly from the farmers, Naik has sold live goats and also has sold a number of kids.
In the market, a goat commands a price of up to Rs 700 a kg. But the customers do not usually buy from farmers. Therefore, the farmers encounter the problem of sales. As this is a rural area, Naik sells live goats. This is a major obstacle in undertaking goat rearing on a large scale, he admits.
Naik allows the goats to graze in hilly areas, and he says this helps in their physical growth. But there are chances of dogs attacking the animals. Therefore, care has to be taken. He says he is interested in undertaking this activity on a big scale but because of marketing fears, fear of economic downslide and insufficient response from the departments have deterred him from undertaking the activity on a big scale.
His wife Leelavathi is a member of Dharmasthala self-help group. The scheme has provided guidance and given grants of Rs 5,000 for goat rearing. If the departments concerned identify such people who are engaged in animal husbandry in rural areas and provide them encouragement, guidance and scientific knowledge, such farmers can draw encouragement and move forward.