Experts stress corporate partnerships and government support in boosting goat farming sector

Passing Gifts, a subsidiary of Heifer International recently celebrated World Goat Day, bringing together a diverse group of stakeholders to highlight the importance of goat farming and its impact on rural livelihoods. The event underscored the organization’s commitment to supporting goat farmers, particularly women, through a range of development initiatives aimed at enhancing income and sustainability in rural communities.

Akshya Biswal, Program Director at Passing Gifts, inaugurated the event by discussing key projects such as the Odisha Socio-Economic Development (OSED) Project, which supports 30,000 families in the state's Mayurbhanj and Keonjhar districts, as well as the Hatching Hope and TRANSFORM projects that benefit thousands of smallholder farmers. Biswal emphasized the progress made by Community Animal and Veterinary Entrepreneurs (CAVEs) trained by Passing Gifts, advocating for government certification to boost their effectiveness in providing veterinary services.

The event featured a panel discussion focusing on sustainable goat farming practices, challenges, and future opportunities. Dr. Ambika Prasad Nanda from TATA Steel emphasized the role of “Lakhpati goat entrepreneurs” as role models for aspiring farmers. Dr. A.P. Acharya from OUAT highlighted corporate partnerships in supporting goat-based livelihoods, discussing their work with Ganjam goats and common goat management practices. Dr. Rajeev Sharma from VOTI described goats as “ATMs” for rural farmers, stressing the importance of empowering women in goat farming.

Additionally, Swarup Sharma from HDFC Bank discussed the need to streamline government schemes to better support small-scale farmers. Dr. Biswanath Sahoo from ICAR-CIWA highlighted the nutritional benefits of goat products and the importance of empowering women through improved farming practices. Dr. Ranjan Kumar Mohanta from KVK, NRRI, Cuttack, discussed the significance of indigenous practices, GI Tagging, and the role of deworming and vaccination in goat farming.

The World Goat Day celebration emphasized the need for collective efforts to address challenges and maximize opportunities in goat farming. Passing Gifts remains committed to fostering collaborations and partnerships to enhance the sustainability of goat farming and empower women in rural communities. Similar events were also held in Bihar, where the organization works with 70,000 farmers, reflecting its broader commitment to agricultural development across the country.