Goat Farming Programme
Helping families earn a decent income from rearing goats
About the programme
In 2015 we conducted extensive research into the viability of our third enterprise, goat farming, known locally as ‘Goateries’. Goats are greatly valued by the poor in West Bengal and fetch high prices at market. We designed a model that allowed our farmers to become self-sufficient by breeding and selling goats.
Farmers paid a small deposit and received two female goats of breeding age, plus expert training and insurance for their animals. As the goat herd grew, our farmers could sell some of their animals at the local market and keep others for breeding. As soon as they were able to, they repaid us for the original pair of goats with two goat kids which we could then use to allow another farmer to join the programme.
This programme was rolled out to 344 families. After a period of two years during which time our field team continued to offer training and mentoring services, our farmers were in a position to carry on their enterprise without our intervention.
IMPACT
Read Anjali’s story here about how goat farming has changed her life for the better.
