Sustainable goat farming model achieves good profits

Goat farming model brings good income to farmers.

With low maintenance, taking advantage of many natural food sources, and relatively stable prices, many farmers have boldly developed goat farming models, thereby bringing good profits to breeders.

In the past 4-5 years, farmers in the province have boldly developed goat herds. This is a low-cost livestock, thanks to taking advantage of many natural food sources, with less feed costs compared to some other livestock, so it brings in quite a profit.

Accordingly, many goat-raising households have invested more carefully in barns, developing goat farming in the direction of raising goats in stilt houses. This form of farming helps goats limit the risk of disease when growing and developing in a hygienic environment.

The process of cleaning and caring for the goat herd is also more convenient. Goats are raised for 9 months before being sold. Although the time from raising to selling is equivalent or longer than other livestock, after deducting costs, it still ensures relatively high profits.

Thanks to goat farming, many households have escaped poverty and even become well-off and rich. In addition, the amount of fertilizer obtained during the raising process is also used by farmers to serve crop production, thereby significantly saving investment costs for production.

Having raised goats for nearly 5 years, Mr. Nguyen Van Hoang (Trung Thanh Tay commune, Vung Liem district) said: “Compared to other livestock, goats have high disease resistance, can withstand harsh climates; the initial investment cost is low and does not cost much to buy food. Thanks to raising goats, my family has a stable income.”

With more than 10 years of experience in raising goats, Mr. Vo Van Nhut (Binh Hoa Phuoc commune, Long Ho district) also said: “Initially, I had 4 female goats, now I have more than 80. Thanks to my experience in raising goats, I have achieved high efficiency. At the same time, taking advantage of grass and other by-products as food helps reduce costs in raising goats, increasing profits. Every year, I sell about 60 goats to the market, with a profit of 180-200 million VND/year. Thanks to that, my family has also improved.”

Mr. Tran Chi Cuong - Vice Chairman of Binh Hoa Phuoc Commune People's Committee (Long Ho District) said: In the commune, 2 goat raising cooperatives have been established in Binh Hoa 1 and Phu An 2 hamlets with 28 households and a total herd of over 1,350 goats. The effective model has contributed to improving the lives and incomes of households, helping poor and near-poor households escape poverty sustainably, and maintaining income criteria in the commune.

Many farmers say that in order for goats to grow well, it is necessary to ensure that the barn is always clean, airy, fully vaccinated, and fed with green food such as vegetables and grass of all kinds. At the same time, each day, it is possible to supplement 100-150g of food for adult goats. In addition, it is necessary to regularly observe the goat herd to detect diseases early and treat them promptly.

Currently, the total goat herd in the province is more than 21,320, concentrated in Binh Minh town, Long Ho district, Binh Tan district, Mang Thit district and the largest number is Tam Binh district with more than 5,700 goats. Many localities identify goats as livestock that help reduce poverty and increase income for farmers.

In order for the goat herd to develop well and achieve productivity and quality, in recent times, the province's specialized sectors have increased support for training and technology transfer. Along with that, the provincial agricultural sector has also implemented many programs and projects to contribute to the development of the goat herd in the direction of scale, with consumption linkages.

Accordingly, in recent times, the provincial agricultural sector has also coordinated to implement the Project "Building a model of raising goats for meat in some provinces of the Mekong Delta" deployed by the National Agricultural Extension Center. In particular, it was implemented in Vinh Long province with a scale of 300 goats, in 2 districts: Long Phuoc commune (Long Ho district) and My Thuan commune (Binh Tan district). Participating in the project, households are supported with 50% of the cost of buying breeds, food and vaccines to prevent diseases for goats, and are trained in transferring science and technology, and care and raising processes.

Mr. Lam Minh Khanh - Head of the Department of Animal Husbandry, Veterinary and Aquaculture Extension, Agricultural Technical Service Center (Department of Agriculture and Rural Development) said: The goal of the project is to form and develop concentrated livestock farming areas in a safe direction; form cooperatives to link and consume products.

The formation and expansion of goat farming models in the province not only creates jobs and increases income for people but also contributes to the development of the livestock industry in a safe and sustainable direction.

According to the recommendations of the industry, to raise goats effectively, farmers need to pay attention to the selection of breeds, need to buy breeds with clear origins; newly purchased goats need to be quarantined for 30-40 days before being put in the barn.

Keep the barn clean and airy; disinfect the barn regularly. Regularly check the health of the goat herd to promptly detect weak and sick goats for isolation. At the same time, strictly follow the vaccination schedule for the goat herd as directed by veterinary agencies.

Article and photos: NGUYEN KHANG

Source: https://baovinhlong.vn/kinh-te/nong-nghiep/202407/mo-hinh-nuoi-de-theo-huong-ben-vung-dat-loi-nhuan-kha-3184760/