Getting rich through 'goat banking'

(Baonghean.vn) -Taking advantage of the semi-mountainous region with its vast hills, dozens of households in My Thanh commune (Yen Thanh district) have boldly invested in goat farming, especially since the "Goat Bank" model implemented by the commune's Farmers' Association has created additional motivation for farmers. The goat farming model has proven effective, helping many families escape poverty and become wealthy..

The goat herd of Mr. Nguyen Vinh Thanh's family, Hamlet 13B, My Thanh Commune (Yen Thanh District).

Mr. Nguyen Van Nam, Chairman of the My Thanh Commune Farmers' Association, happily stated that the association's goat farming development plan, implemented since 2010, has attracted nearly 20 households to participate. However, the number of households raising goats has increased most significantly since the commune's Farmers' Association organized the "Goat Bank" model.

Of the 12 households participating in this model, although it was only implemented in 2016, most of their goat herds have already reproduced.

My Thanh commune has barren land, making agricultural production relatively difficult, and the number of poor households in the area remains high. Through research in the media and visits to other localities, the Farmers' Association of the commune encouraged and motivated people to develop this livestock farming model and decided to implement a "Goat Bank" to support disadvantaged and poor families in the area.

To secure initial funding, the My Thanh Commune Farmers' Association sent out letters appealing for support from local residents, My Thanh's children working away from home, and businesses to join hands in providing assistance.

In a short period of time, the Association successfully mobilized over 200 people to contribute, raising a total of more than 76 million VND. The Association selected 12 households classified as poor and disadvantaged in the area to receive the loans. Accordingly, 3 poor households received loans of 10 million VND each, while the remaining households each received 5 million VND, with a loan term of 2 years and no interest.

Goat farming has helped many farmers in My Thanh rise out of poverty and become wealthy.

As a household facing hardship, in early 2016, Mr. Pham Cong Cuong in Hamlet 3 was delighted to receive 5 million VND in support from the My Thanh Commune Farmers' Association through the goat bank model. Adding some of his family's accumulated capital, he boldly invested in buying 3 goats for breeding and building a barn.

After a period of care, his goats reproduced, and the kids now weigh about 20 kg. With the current price of goats, Mr. Cuong earned about 3 million VND.

Mr. Cuong said: "Raising goats isn't very hard work, and their food is easy to find. Leaves from the garden, corn, or bananas are all foods they love, so the care costs are low, while goats grow very quickly. A young goat can gain 4-5 kg ​​per month if well cared for."

Nguyen Vinh Thanh, from Hamlet 13B, also received 5 million VND in support from the "Goat Bank" but already has nearly 5 years of experience raising goats. Thanh shared: "In 2012, I visited a friend's house and saw their family raising goats. The homeowner told me that raising goats was very profitable, earning up to 80 million VND a year. At the time, I didn't believe it, but after researching, I found that the techniques weren't difficult, and since I had a large garden, I decided to buy goats to raise. After a year of experimentation, I saw that the goats grew quickly, reproduced quickly, and were truly effective, so from then on, I confidently expanded my herd."

Currently, Mr. Thanh's goat herd has 15 goats, but at times it has exceeded 40, bringing his family an income of over 60 million VND per year. Mr. Thanh said that female goats weighing 17 kg are entering their breeding period. The gestation period for goats is short, and goats can be sold after about 5 months of raising. Therefore, if conditions are favorable, within a year, two female goats can produce four kids, bringing in about 12 million VND.

Mr. and Mrs. Cuong were delighted that their goat had given birth.

Inspired by the "Goat Bank" model of the My Thanh Commune Farmers' Association, dozens of other households have boldly followed suit. From nearly 20 initial goat-raising households, My Thanh now has over 80 goat-raising households, many of which have large numbers of goats, such as Mr. Nguyen Van Hai's household in Hamlet 4 with over 30 goats, earning more than 70 million VND per year from goat farming; Mr. Nguyen Van That's household in Tan My Hamlet raises nearly 40 goats, and he also develops a business selling goat meat and breeding goats, earning hundreds of millions of VND annually. To support farmers, the Farmers' Association also organizes training courses on goat farming techniques for the people.

Given the growing popularity of goat farming in the area, the My Thanh Commune Farmers' Association decided to establish a Goat Farming Club to create an environment where people can exchange and learn farming experiences and techniques, support each other with capital to expand their herds, and share information about the market. The newly established club has attracted 32 member households. Mr. Nam said that if the goat farming model develops strongly, they will establish a Goat Farming Cooperative to create greater opportunities for farmers to get rich.

Thai Orchid