Raising goats for sale in Nghe An - Some cry, some laugh

(Baonghean.vn) - Commercial goat farming is identified as an economic development direction in many localities in Nghe An. However, due to the lack of a linkage chain, the output is still very uncertain. For example, in two neighboring localities, Nghia Dan district and Thai Hoa town, goat farmers "some cry, some laugh".

According to information from the people, over the past year, the price of goats has dropped, causing difficulties for more than 1,000 households raising livestock in Nghia Dan district. People are struggling to determine what to raise to make a profit (!?)

Mr. Tran Van Minh in Hamlet 18, Nghia Trung Commune (Nghia Dan) is keeping his herd worried because the price of commercial goats has dropped, hoping that the price will increase in the near future. Photo: Dinh Thuy

Faced with the situation of falling pork and cattle prices and unstable output, many Nghia Dan farmers have switched to raising goats. Currently, the goat herd in the whole district has grown strongly with 23,000 goats, raised by more than 1,000 households.

In fact, many families have escaped poverty and become well-off thanks to this animal, which is considered a safe output. However, in the past year or so, the price of goats has dropped sharply, causing difficulties for many goat-raising households.

Mr. Tran Van Minh in hamlet 18, Nghia Trung commune has been raising goats for more than 8 years now; his family's herd is stable at 30 goats every year. According to Mr. Minh's calculations, with 12 female goats, he can sell 20 meat goats each year, earning about 40 million VND.

"However, now the price of goats has dropped sharply, so the income has also decreased by half. Last year, male goats cost 200,000 - 230,000 VND/kg, now they are only 100,000 - 110,000 VND/kg; good quality female goats cost 70,000 VND/kg, now they have dropped to 40,000 - 60,000 VND/kg" - Mr. Minh said.

However, Minh's family and many other goat-raising families in the commune still "stick to the profession" in the hope that goat prices will increase. However, some households have switched to raising other animals.

The low price of goats has caused difficulties for many farming households in Nghia Dan. Photo: Dinh Thuy

Mr. Nguyen Hung Thang - Chairman of the Farmers' Association of Nghia Trung commune said: In recent years, the goat herd has increased rapidly; compared to other animals, the output of goats is quite favorable, however, this year the price of goats has dropped, causing difficulties for breeders. The Farmers' Association encourages people to form groups to exchange experiences and support each other in consuming products.

Raising goats is not a hard job but you must monitor them regularly to prevent bloating, foot and mouth disease and treat them promptly.

Through discussion, Mr. Nguyen Van Nam - Deputy Head of the Department of Agriculture of Nghia Dan district said: In recent times, the district has also directed farmers to focus on raising livestock in the direction of clean products; established joint groups to support each other in experience and find output. However, the effectiveness has only stopped at supporting experience and techniques in livestock farming, product output is still an issue that all levels and sectors in the district are concerned about.

While in Nghia Dan thousands of households complained about goat prices, nearby in Thai Hoa town, people in Phu Tan hamlet, Tay Hieu commune were happy to export 500 tons, earning a profit of nearly 6 billion VND.

Many families in Tay Hieu commune - Thai Hoa town invest in raising goats for sale with a large herd. Photo: Quang Huy

Mr. Nguyen Trong Hung's family was one of the first two households to raise meat goats in Phu Tan hamlet, Tay Hieu commune 4 years ago. Initially, he only raised 5 goats. However, later, when he saw that the economic efficiency from raising meat goats brought more profit than other goats, the family decided to switch to raising meat goats for sale.

The number of goats in the family increased to 15, then 20, and at one point up to 40 meat goats. Every year, 3 to 4 batches of goats are sold. "I find that raising meat goats is much more effective than raising cows, chickens, or pigs. This type is easy to raise, with stable output. In general, thanks to raising goats, my family has food and savings, children can study, buy cars, and houses" - That is what Mr. Nguyen Trong Hung shared after 4 years of raising meat goats.

Currently, 1/3 of households in Tan Phu hamlet raise goats. The goat breed chosen by the people here is grass goat, all are male goats. According to the goat raising households here: If you want the goats to grow well, within the first 10 days after buying the breed, you must vaccinate them against flu; deworming; parasites... Especially in the cold season like now, you must cover them carefully, avoid wind and rain.

If raised well, on average, after about 2.5 - 3 months, the breeder can sell the goats. Currently, all the goats in Phu Tan hamlet are purchased by traders from Ninh Binh and Thanh Hoa. The average selling price is 112,000 VND/kg. At the time before Tet like now, the households raising goats for meat here are increasing their herds.

Households in Tay Hieu commune (Thai Hoa town) take care of their goats. Photo: Quang Huy

Every year, Phu Tan hamlet sells over 500 tons of commercial goats to the market. According to calculations by goat farmers, if the capital and profit average 3 times a year, the whole hamlet will earn over 18 billion VND.

Mr. Nguyen Dinh Chau - Chairman of Tay Hieu Commune People's Committee, Thai Hoa Town affirmed "The model of raising goats for meat in Phu Tan hamlet is a highly effective economic model. The locality has advantages in garden and hill areas that are very suitable for raising goats. Therefore, in the coming time, we will replicate this model in many other hamlets to increase income for people"

To serve the Tet holiday, each goat-raising household here has now increased its herd by an average of 10-15 goats per household. Phu Tan people consider goats as "lifesavers" that help them escape poverty and become rich legitimately...

» The whole Nghe An province has only 7 livestock linkage chains

Dinh Thuy -Thu Trang - Quang Huy