Despite falling prices for cattle and pork, goat farmers still enjoy a stable income.

(Baonghean.vn) - In recent years, raising goats for commercial purposes has become a popular choice for many people in Anh Son district.

After investing in various livestock breeds such as cattle and pigs, Ms. Nguyen Thi Tai from Hamlet 9, Hung Son Commune, realized that raising goats was the most effective because, in addition to requiring little capital investment, it also took advantage of the hilly terrain, readily available food sources, and required minimal care.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Tai from Hamlet 9, Hung Son Commune, takes care of her family's goat herd. Photo: Huyen Trang

Initially, Ms. Tai's family only raised 3 goats, but thanks to the application of science and technology in livestock farming, the herd has grown significantly to 28. To improve the quality of goat meat, Ms. Tai also upgraded the herd by purchasing hybrid goat breeds to raise.

On average, Ms. Tài's family's herd of female goats gives birth to 2-3 litters per year, with each litter containing 1-3 offspring. After 6 months of raising, the goats can reach a weight of 22-27 kg and are ready for sale. With prices ranging from 110,000 to 130,000 VND per kg, Ms. Tài can earn at least 2.5-3 million VND per goat.

For the family of Mr. Nguy Huy Thang in Hamlet 5, Phuc Son Commune, Anh Son District, goats are the main source of income. Recognizing that goats are easy to raise and provide a high income, he expanded his herd from an initial 6 goats to 30, including more than a dozen breeding female goats.

According to Mr. Thang, to raise goats effectively and economically, it is necessary to apply scientific and technical methods from the selection of breeds to the care of the animals. The goat pens should be simple but sturdy, dry, clean, and provide warmth for the goats in the cold season and ventilation in the dry season.

Mr. Thang said: "Raising goats is quite favorable at this time. Unlike the falling prices of cattle and pigs, the price of goats remains stable at 110-130 thousand VND/kg. After deducting all expenses, Mr. Thang earns 60 million VND per year."

For the family of Mr. Nguy Huy Thang in Hamlet 5, Phuc Son Commune, Anh Son District, goats are the main source of income. Photo: Huyen Trang

Currently, Anh Son district has hundreds of goat farming households with a total herd size of up to 20,000 goats, concentrated in communes such as Thanh Son, Binh Son, Tam Son, Cam Son, etc. To improve the overall quality of the goat herd in the district, in 2016, the Anh Son Agricultural Extension Station implemented a "goat herd improvement" model to create hybrid goats with larger weight and faster growth.

Accordingly, the Anh Son District Agricultural Extension Station surveyed and selected four households in Hung Son commune, with each household undertaking the breeding of 20 female goats of the local breed.

Goat farmers are delighted because goat prices have remained stable at 110-130 thousand VND/kg. Photo: Huyen Trang

Ms. Dau Thuy Trieu, an officer at the Anh Son District Agricultural Extension Station, said: "Each household participating in the model receives support in the form of one male Bach Thao goat and 50% of the mixed feed and veterinary medicine costs. The total cost of implementation is 51 million VND.".Following the herd improvement, the average weight of the goat kids reached 2.4-3 kg/animal, a 30% increase compared to the local breed.

Developing goat farming as a commercial activity is proving to be a stable source of income for local people, thereby contributing to the transformation of the agricultural economic structure of Anh Son mountainous district.

Huyen Trang