Prospects of goat farming in Hung Thi commune

With favorable natural conditions, climate, and abundant animal feed sources, in recent years, goat farming has been invested in by many households in Hung Thi commune (Lac Thuy), bringing economic efficiency and stable income.

The goat farming model of Mr. Bui Van Nenh, Tram hamlet, Hung Thi commune (Lac Thuy) brings in an income of over 100 million VND/year.

Goats have many advantages over other livestock such as high disease resistance, tolerance to harsh climates; goat raising requires low initial investment, does not cost much money to buy food, takes advantage of available leaves in the garden and agricultural by-products. Goats are well-nourished after 10 months of starting to reproduce. A year, goats give birth to 2 litters, each litter has 1-3 kids, after 6-7 months they can be sold, each kid weighs 20-30 kg. Lac Thuy goats have had a brand for a long time, so consumption is relatively stable, mainly sold in the district and Ninh Binh, Ha Nam provinces...

Comrade Luong Van Dong, Chairman of Hung Thi Commune People's Committee said: "The whole commune has over 40 households raising over 750 goats, small households raising 10 - 20 goats, many households have herds of hundreds of goats... In order to support production development, the commune has implemented credit loan packages through the Social Policy Bank; organized training courses on goat care and disease prevention for people. From developing goat farming, people's economic life has improved, creating jobs, contributing to poverty reduction, and increasing income for people".

Visiting the goat farm of Mr. Bui Van Nenh's family in Tram hamlet, one of the households raising the most goats in the commune. Mr. Nenh said: "My family has been raising goats for nearly 20 years. Starting with 4 goats, the barn was rudimentary, and there was no experience, so there were times when the goats got sick and died. After that, I attended training courses, learned from books, newspapers, the internet, and visited models in neighboring localities. Raising goats in the form of both confinement and grazing land helps the goats grow quickly, ensuring the quality of goat meat, which is well received by the market. Up to now, the family's goat farm has over 200 goats, with a stable selling price of 150,000 - 160,000 VND/kg of live weight, after deducting expenses, bringing in an income of over 100 million VND/year".

Sharing his experience in raising goats, Mr. Nenh said: The source of food for goats is quite abundant. Every day, when the sun is high, the grass is no longer wet with dew, then cut leaves for the goats to eat to avoid the goats from catching a cold from the food, easily getting sick, and in the evening, herd them from the pasture into the barn. Goats are omnivorous, they can eat many types of leaves and agricultural by-products, but it is necessary to pay attention to picking out wilted leaves and damaged agricultural by-products, fermenting to avoid affecting the digestive tract of the goats. The barn must be airy, clean, avoid hot sun, the floor must be about 1m above the ground because goats do not like high humidity, especially in drizzly, cold weather, goats are very susceptible to illness. In front of the barn, there must be an open space to manage, monitor the goat herd, feed, breed and prevent diseases. In winter, it is necessary to cover the barn tightly, spray disinfectant 1-2 months before the humid weather to avoid epidemics. Raising goats does not require grazing, is less susceptible to external pathogens, and goat waste can also be used as fertilizer for crops. Goat farming is suitable for the area, because the commune's terrain has a favorable, temperate climate, many flat fields, abundant natural food sources, relatively low feed costs, and high economic efficiency. Because Lac Thuy goats have long been a brand, the demand for goat meat is large, traders from neighboring provinces and cities come to the house to deposit and buy at a stable price of over 150,000 VND/kg, with long-term contracts.

In 2023, the commune will support the organization of training courses on goat farming techniques, animal disease prevention, and gradually develop local strengths and outstanding products; create conditions for people to access preferential capital sources for livestock development. The goat farming model in Hung Thi commune has brought positive results, creating a stable source of income and jobs for local workers. To date, the average income of the commune has reached 51.1 million VND/person/year.

Hoang Anh

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