Study of goat farming systems in Ampara district

Abstract

Ampara district is mainly crop-growing region with a significant number of paddy lands. In addition, a large number of rural households engage in goat farming and rely on it for a considerable amount or all of their income. Goats are valuable animals in smallholder farming systems because they assist disadvantaged farmers in improving their socioeconomic level. Behind goat farming, there are a number of known and undiscovered issues. The objective of this study was to investigate goat farming systems and problems associated with the goat farmers in Ampara district. Using simple random sampling techniques, a survey was conducted in Ampara district’s goat farmers (n=50) from nine (09) veterinary regions by face-to-face interviews, structured questionnaires, and field observations. The collected data were analyzed by SPSS (Version 25.0). The results revealed that, all the farmers (100 %) from the study; rearing goats for meat purpose; 56 % of goats’ famers were involved in this industry for primary income and rest (44 %) as auxiliary income. Throughout the study Jamunapari, Saanen, Kottukachchiya and Sri Lankan Boar varieties of goats were observed. From the sample population 56 % of males and 44 % of females were practiced goat farming in Ampara veterinary region. Further 50 % of farmers have above five (05) years of experiences in goat rearing. In farming system 64 % of sample population was practiced integrated farming system. Predominantly 97 % of farmers practiced semi-intensive management system. The primary feeding management was browsing but 46 % of farmers practiced cut-and-feed system. Breeding was mainly (94 %) done by Natural mating. Major constrains in the studied area were, high number of middlemen (50 %) in meat supply chain, poor infrastructure (38 %) and market unavailability (12 %). The survey concluded that considerable amounts of the farmers in the study area were kept goat farm as a primary source of income with an adequate experience. But poor extension services for goat production, no demand for goat milk and high cost of concentrates were major challenges in goat production to carry out successful and sustainable goat farming in Ampara district.