The Black Bengal

Goat as a Tool to
7-10 Promote Sustainable
Livelihoods in Rural
West Bengal
By:
Subhasish Biswas
CASE STUDY #7-10 OF THE PROGRAM:
"FOOD POLICY FOR DEVELOPING COUNTRIES: THE ROLE OF
GOVERNMENT IN THE GLOBAL FOOD SYSTEM"
2010

Edited by:
Per Pinstrup-Andersen (globalfoodsystem@comell.edu)
Cornell University

In collaboration with:
Soren E. Frandsen, FOI, University of Copenhagen
Arie Kuyvenhoven, Wageningen University
Joachim von Braun, International Food Policy Research Institute
Executive Summary

Goats are an integral part of rural India's symbiotic goat rearing could bring about a significant change
system of crop and livestock production and make in the market for goat meat.
up a significant part of the livestock wealth of the
country. Over the past 25 years or so, the Indian A coordinated approach might be initiated to
livestock industry has progressed from a situation increase the productivity of goat production by
of scarcity to one of plenty. Although the share of improving management practices, enhancing nutri­
agriculture in India's gross domestic product had tional inputs, and minimizing morbidity and mor­
been declining since the country's independence in tality from traditional and emerging diseases [such
1947, there was an increasing trend in the value of as goat pox, pneumonia, and peste des petits rumi­
output from livestock as a share of GDP [GOI nants[PPR]]. To achieve this new approach, national
1998], Goats are among the main meat-producing policy makers could transmit scientific guidelines to
animals in India, and goat meat [chevon] faces huge implementing agencies, preferably at the level of
domestic demand, with no social, cultural, and local self-government [panchayats]. Bridging the
religious restrictions. Despite the popularity of goat national and local efforts, the state veterinary
meat, goat rearing has not been conducted as department, research organizations, and state gov­
either a large- or a small-scale industry in the state ernment should play major roles. Veterinary educa­
of West Bengal or in India as a whole. Among the tion institutions can also be consulted on the
20 well-defined breeds of goats in India, the black training of the primary stakeholders—that is, live­
Bengal is a dwarf breed, highly prolific, and famous stock raisers and farmers—in scientific rearing,
for its superior-quality meat and skin. In West slaughtering, and processing of goat.
Bengal, it is commonly known as the "poor man's
cow." Your assignment is to advise national policy makers
and state animal resources development depart­
India has more than 124 million goats, which ments to formulate a strategy to improve the live­
account for more than 25 percent of the country's lihoods of small and marginal farmers in West
total livestock and contribute more than Rs. 106 Bengal through improved productivity and use of
billion annually to the national economy, providing the black Bengal goat and to conserve the related
food and nutritional security to millions of mar­ germplasm.
ginal and small farmers and agricultural laborers
[Kumar 2007], A number of factors make the
rearing of black Bengal goats a preferred option Background
among marginal and small farmers [those having
less than one hectare of land] and even landless The Indian Perspective
farmers, who depend on common grazing and From the Indian perspective, livestock and dairying
forest lands for fodder. These factors include low
capital intensity, prolific breeding, superior chevon are closely intertwined with agriculture and have
quality, early sexual maturity, high-quality skin, low been sources of income generation and means of
kidding intervals, good adaptability, no religious sustenance for rural communities during natural
taboo against consumption, and steady returns calamities that result in crop damage. Because goats
[Dixit and Shukla 1995], have higher fecundity and are more productive
than other livestock reared by Indian farmers and
Under the prevailing traditional production system, offer assured income to farmers with low input
however, the productivity of goats is very low costs in diverse agroclimatic conditions, they play a
[Singh and Kumar 2007], Mortality and morbidity pivotal role in human subsistence. According to
losses due to disease in goats have been high in the 17th Livestock Census 2003, India has 181.88
traditional flocks [Kumar 2007], Unfortunately, million small ruminants, consisting of 61.78 million
little attention has been paid to improving the sheep and 120.10 million goats. In terms of popula­
genetics and productivity of black Bengal goats. tion, India ranks second in the world in goats and
Proper marketing and the application of modern third in sheep.
technology and advanced management systems in
More than 70 percent of these two species are animal husbandry—such as selection of better
reared by small or marginal farmers and landless breeds, use of better feeds, and adoption of more
laborers. The contribution of these species to scientific rearing practices—could make goat farm­
India's rural economy is estimated at Rs. 24 billion ing a profitable business, ultimately leading to
a year (GOI 2004). Together, they produce about increased incomes and better nutritional status in
0.7 million tons of meat. In 2003 goats produced this section of society.
3.7 million tons of milk, about 4 percent of total
milk produced in the country. It is estimated that Goat: The "Poor Man's Cow"
about 5 million families are engaged in various
activities related to the rearing of sheep and goats Livestock-based poverty alleviation programs are
and use their products (GOI 2004). heavily tilted toward dairying, which requires more
water than goat rearing and depends on irrigated
fodder production. Goat rearing is considered one
West Bengal in Context of the best options in water-deficient areas in
West Bengal has a goat population of 19.43 million, tropical climates. Goats can efficiently survive on
which is about one-eighth of its human population available shrubs and trees in harsh environments
(GOWB 2004-05). It ranks first in goat meat pro­ and on low-fertility lands where no crop can be
duction among Indian states, accounting for 30.5 grown. Called the "poor man's cow," goat is cheap
percent of total goat meat produced in the coun­ to procure and easy to rear, especially by women,
try. In 2004-05 West Bengal produced 148,260 who often rear small livestock during their leisure
metric tons (MT) of goat meat from 24.71 million time. With the potential to provide high-quality
goats (GOWB 2004-05). To produce this meat, meat and milk, goat is regarded as an important
West Bengal provides only 7.5-8 million goats for source of nutrients for people in the developing
slaughter every year, and the remaining 15-16 mil­ countries of the tropics (Birthal and Taneja 2006).
lion goats are procured from other states. Repeated Goat rearing has been practiced by a large segment
outbreaks of bird flu and the increasing popularity of the poor population in rural India, as well as in
of goat meat in this region have increased the West Bengal. Goats are also used in ceremonial
demand for chevon severalfold in recent years. feasts and for the payment of social dues.
One of the most serious challenges that the state About 90 percent of the world's goats are reared
of West Bengal faces today is reconciling the need primarily for meat. In India about 42 percent of the
to reduce poverty with the need to meet increased total population of goats is slaughtered for meat
market demand for products. The areas that poor every year. In 1999-2000, the per capita annual
people occupy are usually the most marginal for availability of goat meat and mutton in India was 1.0
agricultural development and far from transporta­ kilogram (Birthal and Taneja 2006). Goats provide
tion networks or urban centers. Sustained low- not only livelihoods for much of the rural popula­
input agricultural production by these poor far­ tion, but also valuable animal protein to both rural
mers has made agriculture a self-defeating activity. and urban populations. They play an important role
These farmers cannot compete with costly modern in income generation, capital storage, employment
agricultural practices, and they are often compelled generation, and household nutrition. West Bengal
to become landless laborers. They are forced to ranks first among Indian states in goat meat pro­
depend on their own labor and the minimum avail­ duction, accounting for 30.5 percent of total goat
able natural resources. Whole families, including meat production in India. West Bengal produced
children, are commonly involved in a variety of 148,260 MT of goat meat in 2004-05 (GOWB
activities because no single activity—agricultural 2004-05). In addition, the skin of the black Bengal
wage labor or agricultural production—can meet goat is prized on the world market for leather pro­
their daily domestic needs for sus-tenance. This duction for its exceptionally fine grain (Sastry and
situation generates not only economic deprivation, Thomas 2005).
but also illiteracy and deforestation.
In spite of West Bengal's large livestock population,
Improved goat husbandry could help overcome this per capita protein availability there is only about 10
challenge. This poor subpopulation has long grams a day, compared with the world average of
engaged in rudimentary animal husbandry. Better 25 grams. The recommended minimum protein
requirement is 20 grams of animal protein per
capita per day, of which 4 grams are expected to can play a large role in combating malnutrition. It is
come from meat and 16 grams from fish and other an excellent source of high-biological-value protein,
animal products [Kondaiah 2008], The estimated vitamin B12, niacin, and vitamin B6. It is also a
demand for meat for the present population of source of long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fats,
India would be 7.7 million tons compared with riboflavin, pantothenic acid, selenium, and possibly
present production of 5.7 million tons [GOI vitamin D, and it contains a range of endogenous
2004-05], The 148,260 MT of chevon produced in antioxidants and other bioactive substances,
West Bengal in 2004-05 probably came from including taurine, carnitine, carnosine, ubiquinone,
24.71 million live goats, considering that one black glutathione, and creatine. Goat meat, including
Bengal goat produces an average of 6 kilograms of liver, is an important source of several micro­
meat [ICAR 2002; Sastry and Thomas 2005], But nutrients given that some of them are exclusively
the census report recorded only 19.43 million live present in meat or they are much more bioavailable
goats in the state in 2004-05, including kids and in meat than in plant sources. Intake of livestock
does. Therefore shortfalls are continuously met by products, however, is low in India compared with
goats marketed from other states [GOWB 2004- that in many developing and developed countries.
05],
As shown in Table 1, the goats and their products
The diet of an average Indian is cereal-based and contribute about Rs. 142 billion annually to the
lacks nutrient-rich foods such as pulses, fruits, national economy, accounting for around 9 percent
vegetables, and animal products. Low intake of of the gross domestic product [GDP] of the live­
these products results in nutritional deficiencies. stock sector, which contributes more than 30 per­
About 30 percent of the population suffers from cent of agricultural GDP (FAO 2007],
malnutrition (Kumar and Joshi 1999], Goat meat

Table 1: C o n trib u tio n o f G o a t to th e Indian Econ om y, 2 0 0 7 (a t c u rre n t p rice s]

Q u an tity produced
Goat product (thousand metric tons) V alu e (million Rs.)
Meat1 543 81,450
Milk2 4,000 36,000
Skin3 130 6,498
Offal4 379 7,388
Manure5 17,211 10,327
Blood6 54 246
Pashmina7 0.041 62
Total 141,970
Source: The estimates are based on data from F A O [2007].
'Value is estimated at Rs. 150/kg.
2Value is estimated at Rs. 9 /kg.
3Value is estimated at Rs. 5 0 /kg.
4O ffal is estimated as 35 percent o f live weight and valued at Rs. 2 0 0 /animal slaughtered.
sBecause information on manure produced is not available, the average yield of manure has been estimated at 500g/adult
and 200g/young/day and valued at Rs. 600/ton. The ratio o f the adult to kid population is 60:40.
6Value is estimated at 5 percent o f live weight and valued at Rs. 5 /goat slaughtered.
7 Pashmina refers to a type o f fine cashmere wool and the textiles made from that wool, which come from a breed o f goat
indigenous to the Himalayas. Value is estimated at Rs. 2 ,0 0 0 /kg.
Goats are also considered "walking refrigerators" • In drought-prone areas, goat rearing is much
for storage of milk because they can be milked as less risky than other livestock husbandry.
required, several times a day. Yet goat's milk ac­ • Unlike large animals on commercial farms,
counts for only 3.5 percent of total available milk both male and female goats have equal value.
from all sources in India [Agnihotri and Pal 1996],
This low demand for goat's milk is due to con­ • India has no religious taboo against goat
sumers' lack of awareness about its nutritive value slaughter and meat consumption.
and the lack of an established infrastructure for
marketing goat milk in India. Goat's milk thus does • Goat meat is relatively lean [low in cholesterol)
not reach the market and remains with the farmers and good for people who prefer a low-calorie
themselves, who ultimately consume it. The World diet, especially during India's intense summers,
Health Organization has reported that more than when many people prefer to avoid rich, high-
70 percent of the world's population has some calorie foods. Sometimes goat meat is pre­
allergy to cow's milk, with symptoms that include ferred over mutton because of its "chew-
stomachache, gas, skin rash, and ear infection, ability."
whereas no such allergy was reported for goat's • Goat's milk is easier to digest than cow's milk
milk. Goat's milk is preferred to cow's milk for because of its small fat globules, and it is
patients suffering from liver dysfunction, jaundice, naturally homogenized. Goat's milk is said to
biliary disorders, acidosis, and insomnia [BAIF play a role in improving appetite and digestive
2008). efficiency. Goat's milk does not pose the
allergy problems that cow's milk does. It has
The Black Bengal Gout antifungal and antibacterial properties and can
Among the various meat-producing indigenous be used for treating urogenital diseases of
breeds of goats in India owned by small farmers, fungal origin.
peasants, and landless laborers, the black Bengal • Goat rearing creates employment for the rural
goat [Capra hircus bengalensis) is the most com­ poor and effectively uses unpaid family labor.
mon. This breed is an important contributor to a
sustainable agricultural system, particularly in the
eastern region of the Indian subcontinent. But the Policy Issues
breed has not received scientific attention for its
contribution to humankind, especially the poor.
Bengal goats are highly prolific, are resistant to Despite making significant progress in various
common diseases, thrive on meager feeding condi­ fields, the state of West Bengal still faces poverty,
tions, and can produce excellent-quality meat. unemployment, ignorance, and socioeconomic
These factors have led to the realization of the inequality. New economic forces in the post­
need to pay more attention to this goat breed, liberalization period are bringing with them new
whose genetic material has been used since time opportunities for development and nation building,
immemorial, but without any attention to the need it is, however, important to ensure that growth is
to conserve it. inclusive and that the benefits of development
reach everyone, particularly the rural masses who
Black Bengal goat rearing has a number of advan­ have not been effectively touched by the efforts
tages: since independence. Agriculture is the backbone of
• The initial investment needed for goat farming the Indian, as well as West Bengal, economy. In
is low. recent years, agricultural growth has fallen both in
India and in West Bengal. Although the share of
• Because of the breed's small size, docile nature, agriculture in GDP has steadily declined, more than
and modest housing requirements, it raises few half of the population of West Bengal [40 million
management problems. people) still relies on agriculture [Khan 2008). The
livestock sector provides livelihood support to mil­
• Goats are prolific breeders and achieve sexual lions of people who have little access to land.
maturity at the age of 10-12 months. The ges­ About one-third of the population—mainly land­
tation period in goats is short, and at the age less people and marginal and small farmers—lives
of 16-17 months they start giving milk. below the poverty line. Because livestock is
distributed more equitably than land, growth in the they tend to suffer from contagious and com­
livestock sector is considered anti-poverty and municable diseases. Studies also show that there is
equity-oriented [Adams and He 1995; Birthal and little awareness in West Bengal or in India about
Singh 1995). The fact that agricultural growth lags how to improve livestock productivity to enhance
behind growth in the non-agriculture sectors livelihoods—a consequence of weak public exten­
explains the plight of rural people. sion support for livestock [Rangenekar 1998).
Poverty, hunger, and health care represent some of There are other factors in the sluggish improve­
the major challenges before rural India as well as in ment of this valuable animal. Because of indiscrimi­
West Bengal. The Green Revolution provided food nate breeding and the absence of high-quality
security to the people, the "white revolution" made bucks, black Bengal goats have suffered from severe
India the world's top milk producer, and the "blue genetic erosion, resulting in low weight at birth,
revolution" created new opportunities in backyard poor growth, and high susceptibility to disease
and marine fisheries. Now the Government of India [Yadav and Yadav 2008). In the absence of timely
dreams of launching a "pink revolution" in which vaccination, 45-50 percent of the goats die from
meat from the black Bengal goat would play an diseases such as PPR [BAIF 2008), enterotoxaemia,
important part [GOI 2004-05). Rising per capita and goat pox. Poor infrastructure for disease diag­
income, growing urbanization, and widening glo­ nosis and other facilities affect the survival of these
balization are boosting the demand for high-value goats. With the depletion of natural resources,
commodities including meat [Birthal and Joshi particularly community pastures, there is a severe
2006). A rapid shift in the dietary habits of non­ shortage of fodder and feed, leading to poor
vegetarians is increasing demand for sheep and goat growth. Goat rearing on free grazing land is an
meat [Kondaiah 2008). Moreover, a huge expected age-old practice, so owners do not feed goats with
increase in the demand for meat in developing cultivated fodder, concentrated feed, or mineral
countries [by 100 percent) presents an excellent mixtures. Lack of deworming further stunts their
opportunity for India to enhance its exports of live growth. Proper marketing channels are absent.
goats and sheep and their meat [Delgado et al. Goat farmers are exploited at the market because
1999). Black Bengal goats have good carcass and they often sell their animals to middlemen in times
production traits, and the dressing percentage has of distress. In the absence of organized marketing
remained unchanged, at about 45-50 percent.1 in West Bengal, owners lack information about the
Changes in nutrition and breeding practices to weight of the animals and the price of the products
slightly increase the dressing percentage could and consequently receive very low returns
translate into substantial increases in meat produc­ [Mathialagan 2007). To enhance their incomes,
tion. Steady demand for this meat in India could owners tend to increase their herd size but then
help generate income for rural Bengal. face shortages of fodder, posing a serious threat to
biodiversity.
In spite of organized efforts by agricultural univer­
sities, private institutions, and international organi­ In the 1970s, before it lost its primacy to Tamil
zations, commercial goat farming is not yet well Nadu and Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal was con­
developed in West Bengal, for several possible sidered the tannery center of the country. In 2003,
reasons. First, the majority of goats are reared on a it had 523 tanneries and 2,000 leather goods pro­
zero-input basis, with farmers selling their goats at ducers [Chattopadhyay 2003), and its goat skins
any price, making this a highly attractive sector for were high in quality. West Bengal is one of the
middlemen. Second, there is a lack of skilled labor country's leading states for export of finished
to manage goats under an intensive management leather goods and accounts for almost 25 percent
system. Third, when these goats are brought from of the country's leather exports. The state now
free range into an intensive system of management, [2010) has 538 tanneries producing leather. The
West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation
1 Dressing percentage denotes the percentage of carcass provides market facilities for the leather products
with respect to the live weight of the animal. Here manufactured by small-scale industries located in
"carcass" means the part of the animal used for the state. From August 1991 to December 2005, 24
production of meat [including bone] excluding the skin, approvals were obtained for foreign direct invest­
internal organs, horns, hooves, and head. This is for goat ment in leather and leather goods production units,
carcass only.
with investments totaling US$56 million [WBIDC ecological aspects of any development program.
2005], Significant depreciation over time in the Agriculture's scope for employing all of the avail­
value of goatskin leather has been observed due to able labor is limited. Government and the private
pox marks, malnutrition, scratches, and other skin sector are also too limited to meet the demands of
lesions. this huge population for jobs and safety nets.
Goatery with black Bengal goat, either individually
or on a cooperative basis, can generate income for
Stakeholders unemployed [in spite of being highly qualified]
youth in West Bengal.
Smallholders and Landless People
In West Bengal, goat rearing is an important com­ Women
ponent of agriculture and central to the livelihoods As shown in Table 1, women are important in live­
of many poor. It is considered a subsidiary source stock production. Women are one of the driving
of income accompanying other agricultural activi­ forces in rural Bengal because of their round-the-
ties, particularly for women in smallholder and clock management of domestic activities [Hoque
landless households. Heavy market demand and and Itohara 2008], but they are mostly dependent
high prices for chevon have created opportunities on male members of the family to supply their
to employ a large number of rural people, includ­ needs and to improve the lives of their children.
ing unemployed youth, women, aged persons, Goat rearing, especially with black Bengal goat, may
widows, socially backward [tribal] people, and poor give them relief from this disparity. They can easily
people. Goat rearing enhances livelihoods by pro­ rear and maintain black Bengal goats on a small
viding more income and new or alternative em­ scale and better than males, who are often engaged
ployment; improving food security and nutrition, in activities outside the household, and thereby
especially by supplying protein; and contributing to generate income year-round [Deshpande and
the development of rural areas, which can help slow Sabapara 2010], For example, in one project, goat­
urban migration [Tiwari and Sharma 2009], Goat keeping women were organized into groups of 5-7
rearing benefits not only individuals who engage in members, which maintained 35-40 does each. One
this activity, but also other sectors of the com­ superior-quality black Bengal buck was provided to
munity. At the same time, poultry rearing faces a each group. Vaccination of one-month-old kids
number of problems, including continual outbreaks provided protection against PPR and reduced mor­
of bird flu in West Bengal and foreign investment tality from 50 percent to less than 5 percent.
that increases competition with small-scale house­ Regular deworming and supplementary feed of a
hold producers. Thus goat rearing, especially with mineral mixture increased the goats' body weight.
the black Bengal goat, may be an attractive option Systematic culling increased the population of this
for meeting requirements for meat in West Bengal breed. A field guide who brought a spring balance
and in India as a whole, as well as for generating in­ scale assessed the value of goats. The income of
come for smallholders and landless people in West participating households increased by 200 percent
Bengal. even in the absence of larger herd size [Hegde
2008],
Unemployed Youth
Livestock are also an important source of employ­ Widows
ment for rural people in West Bengal [GOWB Widows, neglected in society, generally do not eat
2004-05], In 2004-05 primary livestock produc­ any meat, including chevon, because of social cus­
tion employed about 4 million rural persons, toms and barriers. But they have a keen interest in
equivalent to 5 percent of total rural workers in rearing this species of animal, which provides an
West Bengal [ICAR 2006], Birthal et al. [2003] opportunity for increasing their incomes and im­
found small ruminants [that is, goats] contributing proving their livelihoods [SaaduIIah, Hossain, and
25-75 percent to the income of the smallholders Akhter 1997],
who possessed them. The huge population of India,
and of West Bengal, is an impediment to the devel­
opment of many kinds of infrastructure and to the
 Figure 1: Female Participation in Agricultural Labor in India
□ Women workers (%)

Source: Birthal and Taneja [2006], based on data the electronic database "Employment and unemployment situation in
India," National Sample Survey Office, India.

Older People
Older people are also neglected by their families. Industries Foundation [BAIF], along with the JRD
They have little or no income, but they do have Tata Trust, started a project in West Bengal aimed
time. The black Bengal goat, one of humans' oldest at encouraging goat keepers to practice sustainable
companions, can supply nutrition, protection, sup­ goat husbandry; promoting improved breeding
port, and above all company to their keepers. through superior breeding bucks; promoting best
Older people may be the ideal caretakers of this practices for feeding, health care, and housing; and
particular breed, which can generate income for establishing links with markets to earn better
their day-to-day expenditures. prices. Other NGOs, like the Nature, Environment,
and Wildlife Society [NEWS] and the Tagore
Socially Backward People (Tribal! and Poor Society for Rural Development [TSRD], have used
this valuable livestock resource as an activity for
People women's self-help groups. Still, much work remains
This category of people has long reared goats, to be done by the NGOs, as well as the govern­
partly because of scarcity of jobs. Goat rearing, ment and private entrepreneurs, to make this valu­
especially of the black Bengal goat, requires little able resource a tool for sustainable livelihoods for
space, few inputs, and cheap and locally available poor people in West Bengal.
resources, making it a suitable income-generating
activity for this group. In addition, generations of The Meat Industry
experience with goat rearing have given them West Bengal ranks first in goat meat production,
indigenous technological knowledge about how to accounting for 30.5 percent of total goat meat
treat animal diseases at low cost. produced in India. In 2004-05 148,260 MT of
goat meat was produced [GOWB 2004-05] from
Nongovernmental Organizations (NGOs) 24.71 million goats, but the state still has no estab­
NGOs can effectively promote neglected species of lished commercial slaughterhouses, and most goats
goat and disseminate technologies "from lab to are slaughtered by households. As a result, the
land." They can provide useful information about other valuable goat by-product—the skin—loses its
the black Bengal goat to policy makers. Some value because it is mutilated during slaughter.
NGOs have already initiated goat development
projects. For example, the Bharatiya Agro-
Consumers The policy statement focused on the need to [1]
formulate a livestock-breeding policy to increase
Consumers are the beneficiaries who ultimately livestock production and enhance the use of draft
purchase or receive commercially sold food items, animals as a source of energy; [2] generate and
consume them, and maintain demand for them. disseminate livestock-related technologies to im­
Given that meat is a highly perishable item, they prove animal productivity; [3] improve marketing,
could also play a role in monitoring and evaluating processing, and transportation facilities for value
the quality of the product. Where public health is addition, (4] manage grazing lands and rejuvenate
concerned, the consumers can act as “watchdogs" pastures; (5] establish disease-free zones; and [6] in­
by providing feedback and pressuring regulators to volve cooperatives and the private sector in devel­
take timely action. opment efforts. The statement also emphasized
raising incentives for livestock production on a par
Local Governments including Municipal with those for crop production (Birthal and Taneja
Corporations 2006],
In West Bengal the three-tiered system of local The Government of India, state governments, and
government [panchayaf\, from the district level to research organizations have analyzed the possibili­
the village level, works in a consolidated way and ties for improving and conserving the black Bengal
has a separate section dealing with animal hus­ goat (IAEA 2007], Some policy options are as fol­
bandry. This local government should help identify lows:
potential beneficiaries of goat-rearing projects,
recognize their difficulties in rearing goats, and en­ 1. Use low-cost, uncon ventiona! feeding prac­
gage in disease surveillance, offering prophylactic tices. The geography of West Bengal varies
and curative care. Panchayat livelihood development considerably, with elevation differences
projects should motivate interested goat raisers and and six agroclimatic zones [the hill zone,
offer them regular training to improve goat hus­ the terai zone, the old alluvial zone, the
bandry and in turn enable sustainable development. new alluvial zone, the laterite and red soil
zone, and the coastal saline zone]. Live­
National and State Governments stock feed differs by zone. For various
reasons, little green fodder is produced.
Panchayats (local governments] could plan goat Widespread research was initiated in the
husbandry programs drawing on technical guidance different agroclimatic zones of West
from national and state animal husbandry depart­ Bengal to increase milk production in cat­
ments. The national and state governments could tle through the use of low-cost and
extend enough technical and financial support to unconventional feeding. The use of locally
make panchayats capable of implementing such available, low-cost, unconventional feed
programs. These higher-level governments could resources, such as jackfruit leaves and
also establish laboratories for diagnosing and con­ bamboo leaves, can increase the growth
trolling disease, as well as model farms in different rate of black Bengal goats and cost-effec­
areas [some of these already exist]. People intending tively promote high-quality meat and skin.
to rear goats could visit these farms to gather in­ Animal nutritionists must create low-cost
formation on and experience in goat husbandry. feeds that provide the necessary macro-
and micronutritional elements.
Policy Options 2. improve access to inputs. Smallholder goat
producers need to have access to inputs
Over the past three decades, West Bengal has made such as feed, grazing land, animal health
tremendous progress in food production. Agricul­ services, credit, and risk-mitigating mech­
tural growth, however, has hardly ever exceeded 3 anisms (such as insurance]. Feed is scarce
percent a year. Given the pro-poor nature of agri­ in arid and rainfed regions, and in some
cultural growth, the National Agricultural Policy irrigated regions, roughages [mainly rice
[GOI 2000] set a target of 4 percent annual and wheat straw] are surplus and often
growth in the agricultural sector by 2020 and em­ burnt after harvest instead of being fed to
phasized livestock as an important driver of growth. livestock. Policies are needed to procure,
 store, and transfer surplus fodder to fod­ ment agencies and research institutions,
der-scarce regions [Birthal and Taneja especially extension services, may play
2006], pivotal roles here.
3. Establish preventive animal health services. 6. increase the productivity o f meat produc­
Despite considerable expansion of veteri­ tion. From 2004 to 2007, India's total
nary infrastructure and manpower, deli­ meat production increased from 5.9 mil­
very of livestock services and information lion tons to 6.5 million tons, but the share
remains poor in West Bengal and in India. of chevon in total meat production fell
Animal health services have focused largely from 8.6 percent to 8.34 percent, even
on curative measures and neglected pre­ though the number of goats slaughtered
ventive measures. Given that infra-struc­ increased every year (FAO 2007], Thus,
ture and manpower are not significant although demand for chevon increased,
constraints, marginal investments in pro­ the productivity of goat production
phylactic measures can yield higher div­ remained unchanged or even declined. This
idends. As an initial step, policy makers finding has raised a challenge for animal
could create some disease-free zones, using scientists, who need to orient their
regular monitoring and surveillance, em­ research activities to increase productivity.
phasizing both prophylactic and curative The state of West Bengal has a huge pop­
measures, and creating ideal conditions for ulation of goats, especially black Bengal,
animal rearing (Birthal and Taneja 2006], but the dressing percentage is low, at
4. Conduct research to optimize the survival nearly 50 percent. Although there is a
o f goats. A well-managed goat is less likely strong market for chevon [partly because
to succumb to disease than a poorly there is no religious taboo against con­
managed one. Diseases such as PPR, foot- sumption of goat, as there is for beef and
and-mouth disease, brucellosis, and pustu­ pork], the low dressing percentage of the
lar dermatitis are widely prevalent in dif­ black Bengal goat has been an impediment
ferent regions. Research on goat health is to rural goat farmers. New technologies,
required to reduce the mortality rates of including biotechnology, have the potential
these valuable goats. to revolutionize animal production. Ad­
ministration of a growth hormone known
5. Conserve high-quality black Bengal goat as exogenous somatotropin [ST] is one
germpiasm. Conservation is the manage­ biotechnological tool that can increase
ment of human use of the biosphere so food output [meat or milk] per unit of
that it may yield the greatest sustainable feed input. In addition to raising the effi­
benefits to the present generation while ciency of food production, ST can result
maintaining its potential to meet the needs in environmental benefits through reduc­
and ambition of future generations. In re­ tion of animal waste and decreased ex­
cent years, the black Bengal goat has been penditures for feed production, including
subject to cross-breeding with other fertilizer and other inputs associated with
breeds of goat and inbreeding because of growing, harvesting, processing, and stor­
the paucity of suitable black Bengal bucks. ing animal feed. Biotechnology can also
These practices have led to several compli­ help reduce the fat content of fresh meat
cations in the offspring, such as reduced and its products. Many studies have shown
disease resistance, high morbidity rates, that ST effectively alters nutrient use in
and low growth rates. Conservation of growing animals in a manner that markedly
high-quality and native pure black Bengal reduces the amount of carcass fat. This fat,
goat germpiasm is crucial to overcoming when consumed by humans, contributes to
these problems. Goat owners should be in­ their low-density lipoprotein cholesterol
formed about the utility of this important levels, a major risk factor for coronary
breed and advised to breed goats within heart disease. Researchers could also in­
the same breed, which will help maintain crease per capita goat meat production by
the world-famous, high-quality meat and introducing good animal breeding prac­
skin (Sastry and Thomas 2005], Govern­ tices, like selecting high-quality animals for
 breeding and developing careful cross­ Agnihotri, M. K., and U. K. Pal. 1996. Quality and
breeding programs. shelf life of goat milk paneer in refrigerated
7. Increase value added Another important storage. Small Ruminant Research 20 [1]: 75-81.
related issue is improving value addition to BAIF [Bharatiya Agro Industries Foundation],
goat products. At present, only about 2 2008. Eco-friendly goat husbandry for sustain­
percent of all meat output undergoes value able livelihood of small farmers. BAIF Technical
addition. The prices of processed goat Bulletin No. 1 [BAIF Development Research
meat products are high because of a lack Foundation],
of economies of scale in processing, as well Birthal, P. S., and P. K. Joshi. 2006. High-value agri­
as high packaging and storage costs. Im­ culture for accelerated and equitable growth.
provements in value added are necessary Policy Brief No. 24. New Delhi: National Cen­
to sustain expanding markets, strengthen tre for Agricultural Economics and Policy
exports, and counteract the threat of Research.
cheap imports. Public action is required
not only to invest in infrastructure, but Birthal, P. S., and M. K. Singh. 1995. Structure of
also to encourage the private sector to in­ rural income inequality: A study in western
vest in meat processing and cold chains Uttar Pradesh. Indian Journal o f Agricultural
[Birthal and Taneja 2006], Economics 50 [2]: 168-75.
Birthal, P. S., and V. K. Taneja. 2006. Livestock sec­
tor in India: Opportunities and challenges for
Assignment smallholders. Proceedings of an ICAR-ILRI
International Workshop on Smallholder live­
Your assignment is to advise national policy makers stock production in India: Opportunities and
and state animal resources development depart­ Challenges, 2006.
ments to formulate a strategy to improve the live­ Birthal, P. S., V. K. Taneja, and W. Thorpe, eds.
lihoods of small and marginal farmers in West 2006. Smallholder livestock production in
Bengal through improved productivity and use of India: Opportunities and challenges. Proceed­
the black Bengal goat and to conserve the related ings of an ICAR-ILRI international workshop
germplasm. held at National Agricultural Science Complex,
New Delhi, India, January 31-February 1, 2006.
Additional Readings Birthal, P. S., P. R. Deoghare, S. Kumar, and
Riyazuddin. 2003. Development o f small rumi­
Devendra, C., and G. B. McLeroy. 1988. Coat and nant sector in India. Project report. New Delhi:
sheep production in the tropics. London: National Centre for Agricultural Economics
English Language Book Society. and Policy Research.
Peacock, C. 1996. improving goat production in the Chattopadhyay, S. S. 2003. Boosting the leather
tropics: A manual for development workers. industry. Frontline 20 [26],
Oxford, UK: Oxfam. Delgado, C., M. Rosegrant, H. Steinfeld, S. Ehui,
Pegler, H. S. H. 2005. Goats and their profitable and C. Courbois. 1999. Livestock to 2020: The
management. New Delhi: Biotech Books. next food revolution. Food, Agriculture and
the Environment Discussion Paper 28. Wash­
ington, DC: International Food Policy Research
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