Management and Breeding Activities of Goat Farming in the Islands of Jaffna District

Abstract

The study was carried out during the period of January to June 2017. A total of 199 goat farmers (20% of the total farmers) from three veterinary divisions of Islands of the Jaffna district of Sri Lanka   were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Data was analyzed using proc frequency and Proc glm in SAS.  Livestock farming was the main occupation of goat farmers (40.51%). Around 43.88% of the farmers reared goats for meat and milk purpose.  Women’s contribution for goat farming was around 95.39%.  The average herd size of goats in Velanai, Kayts and Delft were 6.00±5.50, 4.45±2.31 and 21.53±3.22, respectively. Goat breeds found in the study area were: Indigenous (90.36%), Exotic (3.05%) and crosses (6.60%). Nearly 89.29% of the farmers adopted semi-intensive system of management. Majority (92.31%) of the farmers adapted natural service. Among the veterinary divisions Delft Veterinary division and semi intensive system of management recorded more profit. Increasing herd size up to thirty increased profit thereafter there was a decline in profit.  The major constraints listed by the farmers were lack of roughages and concentrates, theft and predator problems. Making use of the findings of the current study which was absent previously in the study area and addressing the constraints mentioned by the farmers will improve overall productivity of the goats and contribute for poverty alleviation in the farming communities.