Rural Business:In 3 years Rs. 75,000 from the sale of goats

Mrs. S. Saradhamani is a progressive lady farmer of Perianiackenpalayam village in Coimbatore District. With hardly 2-3 acres, Saradhamani has been successfully integrating goat, cattle rearing, vermicompost manufacturing and growing a number of crop varieties such as sunflower, vegetables and high yielding fodder grass varieties.A goat shed was constructed on her farm with financial assistance from the University, which also supplied her with about 5 female and 1 male Tellicherry goats.

Tellicherry goats are mainly reared for mutton purposes, and stall feeding is highly suitable for this breed. “In about 3 years I have earned about Rs. 75,000 from the sale of goats alone,” she said.

But why did she prefer to pay more attention to goat rearing when cattle would have been a better option? “Rearing goats is relatively easier compared to cattle as the expenditure involved in goat rearing is less when compared to cattle.“The feed for my animals is mostly grown in my field. In fact I spend about only Rs. 2 per day as feed cost for one animal.

“A female goat gives birth to 4 kids in a year and the kids are sold for Rs, 2,000 each when they attain 3-4 months of age.

“Also, selling the goats is easy when compared to cattle as there are no middlemen involved, as farmers approach me directly if they need any animals. The cost factor is small when compared to that of cattle.

Farmers can easily pay the small amount for buying the goat kids unlike that of cattle which costs several thousands. In short, goats are similar to ATM cards which can be used to get money in times of emergency,” said the enterprising lady.