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General Information about Indian Goat Breeds
Goats are one of the earliest domesticated ruminants, with domestication occurring around 9000 to 7000 BC. Goats are hollow-horned ruminants belonging to the order Artiodactyla, family Bovidae, and genus Capra. They are extremely versatile animals, valuable for their milk, meat, skin, and wool production. India is the leader in goat population globally, both in terms of genetic diversity and numerical superiority.
Significance of Goats in India:
- Fertility Improvement: A single goat can produce 130 kg of dry manure annually, which helps in improving soil fertility through its nutrient content.
- Breed Contributions: India is home to various breeds of goats, each adapted to different climates and useful for distinct purposes like milk, meat, or wool production.
- Wool Production: The Angora goat, originating from Central Asia (Turkey), is valued for its mohair (soft white wool). The Cashmere goat, also originating from Central Asia, is known for Pashmina wool, which is blended to create felt.
Breed Characteristics of Jamunapari Goat:
- Origin: Primarily found in Uttar Pradesh.
- Coat Color: White, with tan or black markings on the neck and ears.
- Physical Features:
- Large, elegant, long-legged goats.
- Roman nose with a tuft of hair, giving it a parrot mouth appearance.
- Short, flat horns that twist backward horizontally.
- Large drooping ears.
- Height: Adult male ranges from 90–100 cm, and female ranges from 70–80 cm.
- Weight: Adult female weighs between 45–60 kg, and adult male weighs between 65–80 kg.
- Birth Weight: Around 4 kg.
- Age at First Kidding: 20–25 months.
- Milk Production:
- Large udder and big teats.
- Average milk yield is 280 kg in 274 days.
- Daily milk yield of about 2 to 2.5 kg.
- Fat content of milk: 3–3.5%.
- Preferred Habitat: Thrives best under range conditions with plenty of shrubs for browsing.
Discussion on Indian Goat Breeds by Region
India is home to a diverse array of goat breeds, each uniquely adapted to the specific agro-climatic conditions of the region. These breeds play an essential role in the country’s agricultural ecosystem, especially in terms of milk, meat, and fiber production.
- Northern-Temperate Region:
- Gaddi, Changthangi, Chegu:
- Gaddi: Found in the hilly regions of Himachal Pradesh (HP), Gaddi goats are hardy, suitable for rough terrain, and used primarily for meat production.
- Changthangi: Native to Ladakh, these goats are known for producing Pashmina wool, highly prized for its fine quality. The breed thrives in cold, high-altitude areas.
- Chegu: Primarily found in the northern states like Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir, Chegu goats are known for their fiber production and are also adapted to harsh environments.
- North-Western Arid & Semi-Arid Region:
- Sirohi, Marwari, Jhakhrana, Beetal, Barbari, Jamunapari, Mehsana, Gohilwadi, Zalawadi, Surti:
- Sirohi: Known for being a dual-purpose breed (milk and meat), Sirohi goats are native to Rajasthan and are well-suited for arid climates.
- Marwari: Also from Rajasthan, these goats are valued for their meat production and have a high tolerance for the dry, hot climate.
- Jhakhrana: This breed, found in Rajasthan, is used for both milk and meat, with Jhakhrana milk being known for its richness.
- Beetal: Found in Punjab, Beetal goats are primarily raised for milk and meat, with a significant population in Haryana as well.
- Barbari: Native to Rajasthan, Barbari goats are small but efficient producers of milk and meat.
- Jamunapari: The Jamunapari is one of the largest and most valuable breeds in India, found mainly in Uttar Pradesh. They are renowned for milk production and are a dual-purpose breed.
- Mehsana: This breed is mainly found in Gujarat and is highly valued for its milk yield.
- Gohilwadi, Zalawadi, Surti: These are smaller-sized goats found in the Gujarat region, known for their meat production and their ability to adapt to semi-arid conditions.
- Southern Region:
- Sangamneri, Osmanabadi, Kanni-Adu, Malabari:
- Sangamneri: Primarily found in Maharashtra, Sangamneri goats are renowned for their meat and milk production.
- Osmanabadi: Located in the Marathwada region of Maharashtra, these goats are hardy and raised mainly for meat production.
- Kanni-Adu: A dual-purpose breed found in Tamil Nadu, this goat is valued for both meat and milk.
- Malabari: Native to Kerala, Malabari goats are dual-purpose and hardy, used for meat and milk.
- Eastern Region:
- Ganjam, Bengal:
- Ganjam: These goats are primarily found in Orissa and are known for their meat production.
- Bengal: These goats are found in West Bengal and are used primarily for meat production.
Dual-Purpose Goat Breeds in India
These breeds are extremely important as they provide both milk and meat to farmers, making them a more sustainable option for rural livelihoods. These include:
- Jamunapari: This is one of the largest and most famous goats in India, primarily valued for milk but also used for meat.
- Sirohi: A highly productive breed used for milk and meat, found in Rajasthan.
- Barbari: A dual-purpose breed from Rajasthan, used for both milk and meat production.
- Beetal: Found in Punjab and Haryana, Beetal goats are highly productive, producing both milk and meat.
- Jhakhrana: Raised in Rajasthan, this breed has a high yield of milk and is also used for meat.
Exotic Goat Breeds Introduced in India
To improve the genetic quality of indigenous goat breeds, several exotic breeds have been introduced to enhance milk production, meat quality, and overall productivity:
- Alpine: Originally from France, Alpine goats are known for high milk yield, especially in terms of quantity and quality. They thrive in cooler climates and are considered one of the best dairy goats.
- Anglo-Nubian: A dual-purpose breed from England, Anglo-Nubians are prized for both milk and meat. They are known for their large size, high milk fat content, and excellent adaptation to warmer climates.
- Toggenberg: This Swiss breed is considered one of the oldest dairy goat breeds. Toggenberg goats are known for their excellent milk production and are used primarily in dairy farming.
- Sannen: Another Swiss breed, Sannen goats are known for their high milk production and are prized for their gentle temperament. They thrive in cool climates and are often found in commercial dairy farms.
