Present Status of Goat Farming in Kurunegala District: Management Systems and Constraints

Abstract

A questionnaire survey collected data from 50 goat farms located in Galgamuwa, Rasnayakapura, Maho, Kobeigane, Nikaweratiya and Pannala divisional secretariats (DS) in Kurunegala district. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the present status of the goat farming epecially focusing on the management systems and the constraints with the intention of identifying the future prospects of goat farming in Kurunegala district. Analyzed data revealed that 60% of the farmers had permanent goat housing systems while rest of the farmers (40% ) had temporary goat housing sheds. Most of the goats (98% ) were indigenous and Jamnapari crosses. Three sources mainly contributed to the size of t h r o a t herds were 80% from purchasing, 12% from tenant system and 8 % from breeding in the existing herd. The total num berof the goats in the sample was 935 while the average herd size was 18. Cut and feed, tethering and free grazing systems were found as m ajor feeding systems. There were no special diseases mentioned by the farmers except occurrences of pneumonia, gastrointestinal parasitic problems and deaths during rainy season. Most of the farmers (94% ) keep goats to generate income by selling to the retailers for meat. Food and water scarcity during the dry season, diseases and unexpected animal deaths were the major constraints identified. If strategies could be made to aware farmers and make supplementary feeds available for goats in the dry season, goat farming is a prospective and economically important livelihood activity in Kurunegala district.