Goa: Animal Husbandry | Goa State PSC (GPSC) Preparation - GPSC (Goa) PDF Download

Animal Husbandry of Goa

Goat Farming

• Goat, often referred to as the 'Poor man’s cow' in India, plays a vital role in dry land farming systems.
• On lands that are marginal or undulating and not suitable for larger animals like cows or buffaloes, goats serve as an excellent alternative.
• Goat rearing can be a lucrative venture with minimal investments, particularly benefiting small and marginal farmers.

Sheep Farming

• Few countries globally do not have sheep.
• Sheep are found in tropical and arctic regions, in both hot and cold climates, deserts, and humid areas.
• There are over 800 breeds of sheep worldwide, varying in size, shape, type, and color.
• Sheep were domesticated well before recorded history began.
• Wool fibers have been discovered in the remains of primitive Swiss villages estimated to be 20,000 years old.
• Egyptian sculptures from 4000-5000 B.C. show the significance of sheep to ancient people.
• The Bible frequently mentions flocks, shepherds, sacrificial lambs, and woolen garments.
• The Roman Empire valued sheep, treated them with special oils, and combed their fleece to create fine-quality fibers for the elite's togas.
• Sheep, possibly among the first ruminants domesticated along with goats, are highly valuable and important to humanity.
• Domesticated sheep belong to the phylum Chordata (having a backbone), class Mammalia (nurture their young with milk), order Artiodactyla (hooved and even-toed), family Bovidae (ruminants), genus Ovis (includes both domestic and wild sheep), and species Ovis aries.

Emu rearing

• Emus belong to the ratite group and are economically valuable for their meat, eggs, oil, skin, and feathers.
• These birds can adapt to various climatic conditions.
• Although both emu and ostrich were introduced in India, emu farming has become particularly significant.
• Ratite birds, which have poorly developed wings, include emus, ostriches, rheas, cassowaries, and kiwis.
• Emus and ostriches are commercially raised in many parts of the world for their meat, oil, skin, and feathers, all of which have high economic value.
• The anatomical and physiological features of these birds are well-suited for both temperate and tropical climates.
• These birds can be effectively maintained on extensive (ranches) and semi-intensive rearing systems with relatively high-fiber diets.
• The United States, Australia, and China are leaders in emu farming.
• Emu birds are well adapted to Indian climatic conditions.

Features of Emu

• Emus have a long neck, a relatively small naked head, three toes, and a body covered with feathers.
• Young emus have longitudinal stripes on their bodies from birth to about 3 months of age, which gradually turn brown by 4 to 12 months.
• Mature emus have a bare blue neck and mottled body feathers.
• Adult emus stand about 6 feet tall and weigh between 45-60 kg.
• Their long legs are covered with scaly skin, making them well-suited for tough, dry soil.
• Emus eat a natural diet of insects, tender plant leaves, and forages, as well as various vegetables and fruits like carrots, cucumbers, and papayas.
• The female emu is larger than the male, especially during the breeding season when the male may fast.
• The female is the dominant member of the pair.
• Emus can live for about 30 years and may lay eggs for more than 16 years.
• Emus can be maintained either as a flock or in pairs.

Rabbit Farming

• Rabbit farming is a lucrative venture requiring minimal investment and space, offering significant returns.
• Rabbits efficiently convert ordinary feed into high-quality, protein-rich meat. Furthermore, they can be raised for their hide and fur, expanding income opportunities.

Rabbit Farming is for whom?

• Rabbit farming is suitable for various groups such as landless farmers, uneducated youth, and women, providing an additional income source as a part-time endeavor.

Advantages of Rabbit Farming

• Rearing rabbits allows the production of high-quality, protein-rich meat for personal consumption.
• Rabbits can be sustainably fed with readily available leaves, leftover vegetables, and grains found at home.
• Broiler rabbits exhibit rapid growth rates, reaching 2 kgs by three months of age.
• Rabbits have a high litter size, typically ranging from 8 to 12 young ones per birth.
• Rabbit meat is distinguished by its high protein content (21%) and low fat content (8%), making it a nutritious choice suitable for individuals of all ages, from adults to children.

Quail Farming

• Requires minimal floor space
• Low investment needed
• Quails are resilient birds
• Early marketability at five weeks
• Early sexual maturity, laying eggs at 6-7 weeks
• High egg production - up to 280 eggs annually
• Tastier, leaner meat than chicken, beneficial for children's development
• Nutritionally comparable eggs to chicken, lower cholesterol
• Nutritious for pregnant and nursing mothers

Turkey Farming

Breeds of Turkeys in India

The varieties are as follows:

• Broad Breasted Bronze:
  • The basic plumage color is black, not bronze.
  • Females have black breast feathers with white tips, which aid in sex determination as early as 12 weeks of age.
• Broad Breasted White:
  • This variety is a cross between the Broad Breasted Bronze and White Holland, featuring white feathers.
  • White plumage turkeys are well-suited to Indian agro-climatic conditions, offering better heat tolerance and a clean appearance after dressing.
• Beltsville Small White:
  • This variety is similar in color and shape to the Broad Breasted White but is smaller in size.
  • It has higher egg production, fertility, and hatchability, with lower broodiness compared to heavier varieties.
• Nandanam Turkey 1:
  • This variety is a cross between the black desi turkey and the exotic Beltsville Small White.
  • It is well-suited to the climatic conditions of Tamil Nadu.

Marketing of Turkeys

• Marketing turkeys involves selling turkey meat and eggs to consumers or businesses. It's essential for farmers to understand their target market and develop effective marketing strategies to reach potential buyers.

Turkey Egg Production

• The laying period for turkey hens begins at 30 weeks of age and lasts for 24 weeks.
• With proper feeding and lighting management, turkey hens can produce between 60-100 eggs annually.
• Approximately 70% of the eggs are laid in the afternoon.
• Turkey eggs are typically tinted, weighing around 85 grams each.
• The eggs have a pointed end and a robust shell.
• The nutritional composition of a turkey egg includes 13.1% protein, 11.8% lipids, 1.7% carbohydrates, and 0.8% minerals. The yolk contains 15.67-23.97 mg/gm of cholesterol.

Turkey Meat

• Consumers favor turkey meat due to its low-fat content.
• Turkey meat contains 24% protein, 6.6% fat, and provides 162 calories per 100 grams.
• Rich in essential minerals like potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, selenium, zinc, and sodium.
• Abundant in essential amino acids, niacin, vitamin B6, and B12.
• High in unsaturated and essential fatty acids, while being low in cholesterol.
• Market research indicates that selling a male turkey weighing 10 to 20 kg at 24 weeks with an initial investment of Rs.300 to 450 can yield profits of Rs.500 to 600. Similarly, a female turkey can yield profits of Rs.300 to 400 within 24 weeks.
• Turkeys can be raised under scavenging or semi-scavenging conditions.

Pig Farming

Advantages of Pig Rearing

• Pigs can convert inedible feeds, forages, certain grain byproducts from mills, meat by-products, damaged feeds, and garbage into valuable, nutritious meat. These feeds are often not suitable or palatable for human consumption.
• Pigs grow rapidly and are prolific breeders, typically farrowing 10 to 12 piglets at a time. They can produce two litters per year under optimal management conditions.
• The carcass yield from pigs is high, ranging from 60-80 percent of their live body weight.
• With a relatively small investment in buildings and equipment, along with proper feeding and a sound disease control program, farmers can profitably use their time and labor in pig farming.
• Pig feces can be used as manure to help maintain soil fertility.

Target Audience for Pig Farming

• Small and landless farmers who can benefit from the additional income stream provided by pig farming.
• Educated individuals with a background in agriculture who can engage in pig farming part-time for supplementary earnings.
• Unskilled or unemployed youth who can find employment opportunities in pig farming.
• Women involved in farming activities who can participate in pig farming as a means of income generation.

Pig Breeds

• Pigs have traditionally been raised using indigenous breeds, which are typically smaller in size. However, improved breeds are now being introduced to enhance productivity in rural areas through crossbreeding programs.

Department of Animal Husbandry of Goa and Veterinary Services, Goa

The local authorities in Goa, through the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services, oversee and support pig farming activities in the region.

Mission and Vision

• The primary mission of the Department of Animal Husbandry of Goa & Veterinary Services is to provide veterinary health services to all livestock in the state, enhance the production capabilities of livestock and poultry, and boost milk production by supporting milk producers. Ultimately, the aim is to elevate the socio-economic status by enhancing milk, meat, and poultry production.

Brief History and Background

• The Department of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Service in Goa was initially a combined department of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry. Over time, with the growing demands of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, it evolved to focus solely on these areas.
• The head of this department is the Director of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science in Goa. The primary responsibilities of the department include ensuring veterinary health services and enhancing livestock production, with a current goal of achieving self-sufficiency in milk production within the state.

Aim/Objectives of the Department

The primary aim of the Department of Animal Husbandry of Goa & Veterinary Services is to enhance livestock production and ensure veterinary health services within the state.

• Development of Animal Husbandry Activities
• Providing Veterinary Aid to all domestic animals with a focus on Livestock
• Supporting Livestock farmers in the state
• Promoting Livestock entrepreneurship among farmers
• Training unemployed youth and farmers in Dairy farming, Piggery farming, and Poultry farming
• Ensuring self-sufficiency in milk, meat, and eggs in the state
• Special assistance for SC/ST communities
• Door-to-door assistance for farmers and livestock owners through Veterinary facilities
• Providing subsidies in various Animal Husbandry areas such as Kamdhenu Scheme, Modern Dairy Scheme, and Poultry Scheme
• Artificial insemination of cows and buffaloes with exotic Germ Plasm
• Implementing Central Sectors Schemes like the National Project for Cattle and Buffalo Breeding Programme
• Improving infrastructure at Government Poultry Farm and assisting in disease control
• Contributing to Public Health by managing Zoonotic diseases