Black Bengal goat rearing is increasing day by day in Chuadanga district. Many families in the district have been rearing the goats. Some families’ only earning source is goat rearing and farming.
The Black Bengal goat of Chuadanga is known to all as the poor man’s cow. The goat farming is playing a vital role in reducing unemployment and poverty in the district.Chuadanga’s Black Bengal Goats are especially famous for milk, meat and thick hide. The milk and meat of the goat is very tasty and nutritious than any other goat breeds. A female goat becomes pregnant twice a year and gives birth from two to three kids in a time.
About 5,45,768 Black Bengal goats are in Chuadanga at present. Of the total, 5,45,105 goats are being reared at private goat farms and families, while and 663 at Government Goat Farm. Last year, 4,65,099 goats were in the district.
A total of 1,18,348 goats in Chuadanga sadar upazila, while 1,86,585 goats in Alamdanga upazila, 1,13,460 goats in Damurhuda upazila, 1,26,712 goats in Jibannagar upazila and 663 in Government Goat Farm.
It may be mentioned that about 120 private goat farms are in the district. A number of families in the district have been rearing Black Bangle goats.
The Black Bengal goat likes to stay in dry and high place where they move freely. The goats don't like to live in overcrowded area. They like clean places with the facilities of free air and light. The farmers and others make the house for goats with straw, tin or concrete. The goats prefer to bamboo or wooden platform inside the house, said Dr. Mohammad Golam Mostofa, District Livestock Officer.
The farmers rear the goats near the edge of street, pond shore and fallow land. For this reason growth of the goat is very fast. An adult male goat weights about 10 to 18 kgs, while a female goat is 8 to 12 kgs.
In order to increase the number of this special species of goat, the government established a goat breeding farm in Chuadanga town in 1996.
Najrul Islam, a day laborer of Hajrahati village in sadar upazila, said that he bought a female goat five years back. Now he has 21 goats. Every year he sells four or five goats to maintain his family. He is now happy.
Dr. Mohammad Golam Mostofa, District Livestock Officer, told Bangladesh Post that housewives, unemployed youths, farmers and students are very eager to rear Black Bengal goat in the areas.
