Exploring a Goat Farming Business Plan for Beginners
Every business plan, be it by a first-timer or an experienced businessman, has to include a well-laid out vision of its goals and objectives. The monetary investment required for goat farming does not involve large sums of money in comparison to other livestock farming but it definitely provides you with more profits. Ideally, you should conduct research and actively meet with other livestock farmers to understand the various aspects of this business.
Before you set foot into this farming, you should be very sure about which goat products you would like to specialise in. The choices are varied and include:
- Goat milk
- Goat meat
- Goat skin
- Goat manure
- Goat fibre
Your research must include obtaining information about which goat products enjoy the maximum demand. In case you find goat milk is a preferred choice in that neighbourhood, you can start with that first. You can start on a small scale to understand the response of the local folk. Once you get positive feedback and there is an increase in demand for the same, you can work towards expanding this on a larger scale. Goat milk is highly nutritious, and many people prefer it to cow and buffalo milk.
In case you choose to focus on goat meat, you will have to conduct a study of the meat market in your locality to get an idea about the various types of meat that are in demand. The same process applies to goat skin and goat fibre. In case you are more inclined towards goat manure, you can divert your energies after understanding the requirement of the same. Goat manure serves as a superior quality fertiliser. Moreover, it is completely organic. Your target audience would include farmers, and you will have to build a feasible business association with the farmer in the neighbouring areas to make a good turnover and expand your business in a steady manner.
Accommodation for Goats
Once you start rearing goats, you have to pay undivided attention to their upkeep. This involves providing them with comfortable premises which are hygienic and pest-free. A healthy ambience will help maintain the overall well-being of the goats, and they will be able to provide a good yield.
Provision of Healthy Food for Goats
Goats thrive on the leaves of plants. Instead of arranging for daily requirements, you can invest in land and set up a grazing facility for them to consume quality food. Goats are very friendly and no-fuss animals. A plot of grazing land will also give them the liberty to move around in the open air and enjoy the outdoors. A good water connection will help you provide them with clean water. You can invest in a few open-mouthed containers and fill them to the brim for thirsty goats to enjoy a good drink.
Goat farming requires as much dedication as you would provide to your pup or cat. You must ensure that you are in touch with a good veterinarian who can also advise you with his expertise on animals. You can keep a first-aid box with a few indispensable medicines you can give the goats whenever the situation demands.
Goat farming requires a lot of patience, tender love, and care. You have to be an animal lover to be able to connect with them, understand them and look after them well. You have to be personally involved as they tend to connect very easily with their caretakers.
Procuring Loans for Goat Farming Business
There are many financial institutes that offer loans for goat farming. Some of these include the State Bank of India, Industrial Development Bank of India, and the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD). You can also apply for loans to the Micro Units Development and Refinance Agency (MUDRA). You can use these loans to invest in land for grazing, build a clean housing premise for the goats, and various other requirements to keep your goats healthy at all times.