Black Bengal goat rearing is sharply increasing day by day in many districts of the country as goat farming is notably contributing to reducing unemployment and poverty.
Cattle farms are growing at a rate of 25 per cent every year, since cattle stopped coming from India.
There are now about 12 lakh farms--small and large. In the last three years, the number of cows and goats in the country has increased by almost two millions. Besides, buffalo production is also steadily increasing.
Many families in the district level have been rearing the goats to improve their economic status. Goat rearing has come as the only source of income for many families in rural areas.
Bangladesh ranks fourth in goat production and fifth in goat meat output globally. The Black Bengal goat has been recognized as the best breed in the world.
Black Bengal Goats are especially famous for milk, meat and thick hide.
The milk and meat of the Black Bengal goats is very tasty and nutritious than any other goat breed.
A female goat becomes pregnant twice a year and gives birth to two to three yeanlings at a time.
District Livestock Officer Dr. Mohammad Golam Mostofa said, Black Bengal goat likes to stay in dry and high place where they can move freely. The goats do not like to live in overcrowded areas. They like clean places with the facilities of free air and light.
Just before the Eid-ul Adha, between 20 and 22 million cattle and goats used to come to Bangladesh both legal and illegal routes.
Four years ago, about 22 million cows came from India and Myanmar during the Eid.
According to the livestock department, Black Bengal goat farming has spread across the country. Three non-government organizations are working on rearing goats in the southwest and in the north.
According a non-government organization, at least 5 million goats are being reared in about 20,000 farms in Kushtia, Chuadanga, Meherpur and Rajshahi. Most of them are Black Bengal goats.
Bangladesh Agricultural University teacher of the Faculty of Dairy Science Nurul Islam said, “Advanced varieties of meats have been developed in the research. Households and small farms are benefiting from the fattening of cows and goats.”
The dairy industry is also being developed to raise cows and goats. Dairy is an emerging industry in the country. Liquid milk shortage can be removed through the rearing of cows and goats, he added.
Agricultural economist Jahangir Alam said, of late cows and goats have grown tremendously in the country, a good sign for rural economy.
Most of the NGOs working on poverty alleviation are now lending livestock. Banks are also investing in this sector. Exports are also increasing in the leather industry, he added.
