Andman, Division of Animal Sciences ICAR-CIARI, Port Blair- 744 101, A&N Islands

Principal Investigator

            Dr. Jai Sunder, Pr. Scientist, Division of Animal Sciences ICAR-CIARI, Port Blair- 744 101, A&N Islands

INTRODUCTION

There are four distinct population of goats are available in these islands, viz. Andaman Local Goat, Teressa goat, Feral goat,, Malabari and its crosses. Majority of goats in these islands resemble Black Bengal and were brought from Bengal and adjacent areas in different phases of inhabitation and rehabilitation of migrated/settled people. These goats are well adapted to the island condition and are widely distributed throughout Andaman Islands. These goats are locally called as Andaman Local Goat.

OBJECTIVES

• To assess the production performance of Andaman Local goats in farmers flocks under village management systems and improve the germplasm through selection.
• To evaluate the socio economic status of goat breeders and the economics of goat production in farmers flock
• Capacity building of stakeholders and goat keepers for sustainable and profitable goat husbandry.
• To disseminate the pro-poor goat based technologies under field conditions and assessment of their impact on goat population.
• To determine the role of goat husbandry in livelihood and food security of goat keepers.

To form cooperative society for goat to improve the marketing channel

TECHNICAL PROGRAMME

1. Unit will be identified, surveyed, established and the breeding tract of the breed will be mapped.
2. Unit will maintain at least 4 centres having at least 1000 breedable does under the coverage.
3. Each animal will suitably be identified by an identification number. Appropriate technique of animal identification will be used.
4. The performance recording on growth, reproduction, health etc will be done separately for each group and reporting will be made accordingly.
5. Selection of males and females will be made on the basis of 6 monthly body weight in small breeds (Black Bengal) and 9 months body weight in medium and large breeds.
6. Multiple born kids will be preferred over single born kids in the selection of future bucks.
7. The socio-economic studies of goat keepers will be undertaken with respect to income generation and livelihood security.
8. Feed and fodder production and plantation of forage trees in the area through distribution of fodder seeds etc.
9. Health coverage to all goats in the project area in collaboration with State Animal Husbandry department.
10. Documentation on markets for live goats and goat products viz. Meat, milk, skin, hair and manure.
11. Efforts will be made to form goat breeder/ cooperative societies/ self help groups.
12. Women empowerment in goat husbandry. 

INFRASTRUCTURE FACILITIES
The goat farm attached to Animal Science Division, ICAR-Central Island Agricultural Research Institute is utilised for the elite germplasm centre. The laboratory attached to Central Instrumentation facility, Central Island Agricultural Research Institute is utilised for any genetic studies.
STAFF POSITION

PROJECT AREAS: Details of Field Centres:-

Baseline survey – Establishment of Clusters
Preliminary meeting was arranged with the farmers in the project areas where the four clusters were established. During the interaction with the farmers, they showed interest to adopt the breeding strategy and scientific interventions that were to be implemented in the project. Subsequently, base line preliminary survey was carried out to collect the present status of goat farming and socio economic status of goat keepers in the project area. Goats were identified and ear/neck tags were applied. The informations viz, body weight at various ages, reproduction parameters and mortality pattern were recorded at the farmer’s field of the project area and data were generated. Subsequently, an awareness programme was organised in various villages of four clusters on “Scientific Rearing of Goat for Improving Productivity & Marketing Strategy”in collaboration with Department of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services, Port Blair and KVK, Port Blair. A total of 240 farmers from different villages of South Andaman participated in the program. During the program, it was detailed about the implementation of the project and mentioned that it is aimed to improve the goat population in these Islands through scientific interventions. It was urged all the farmers to know about the basic information on goats’ viz., feeding, selection of superior animals for breeding, health status and marketing in particular; it was also stressed on formation of goat cooperative society for systematic implementation of rearing practices and to avail various facilities through the society. It was detailed about the main problems that encounter at the field level. It was pointed out that premature breeding, parasitic problem, dystocia, pneumonia and bloat are the major conditions frequently occur at the field. During the programme, the various aspects of goat rearing viz, feeds and feeding of goats, health management of goats and care and management of kids were detailed. The farmers also interacted with the resource personal on various field problems. Mineral mixture was distributed to the farmers stressing upon the importance of mineral supplementation to alleviate mineral deficiency.

RESULTS & DISCUSSION
Base line survey:
It was observed in the base line survey that there is no appreciable trait or physical character in the Andaman local goat. Sixty percent of the farmers were maintaining Malabari bucks and that getting white coloured crosses; but black colour was preferred for the sacrificial purpose and crosses are easily succumb to diseases. Goat farming was an integral enterprise in agriculture and an important activity for accelerating the rural livelihood and nutritional security. There was not organized / scientific goat farming except few farmers. Eighty per cent of the farmers had constructed kutcha shelter either of mud floor or slightly elevated type for the goats. Rest of the farmers were practicing only free range system without any housing system.  Feeding practices were only wheat. No balanced concentrate supplemental feeding, no supplementation of mineral mixture, over feeding during festival season and only grazing / feeding leaves. With regard to health, there was no regular deworming, farmers are not coming forward for treatment and vaccination is being done for only FMD. Female goats were retained and only male bucks are being sold only during festival seasons. Bucks are sold at the rate of Rs. 4000 to 5000 per animal. Middle men realise more money rather than goat keepers. There is no cooperative society for goats.  Common field problems such as pre-mature breeding, dystocia, bloat, pneumonia, tetanus and parasitic infestation are more frequent in the farmers’ field of the present project area. Majority of goat keepers in the project area had only school level education. Average family size was 5-6. Flock size was ranging from 5 to 20.
Flock Statistics
The flock statistics of Andaman local goats under field unit is shown in Table 1. The flock strength of drafted animals under field unit in clusters were 2681 including 1679 females as on March 2015. During the period addition due to birth was134 kids. Reduction due to death and sale of animals were 65 and 93 each.
Population growth
The overall population growth was 11.03%. During the period under recording, 134 kids were born out of 1078 selected adult Andaman local does (Table 2).

Body weight/growth
The body weight of kids at different ages has been presented in (Table 3). The average mean body weight (kg) at birth, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months of ages of female goats was 1.730 ± 1.23, 5.042 ± 0.37, 8.281 ±0.57, 11.938 ± 0.97 and 15.670 ± 0.73 and the respective weights of male goats was 1.910 ±0.15, 5.125 ± 0.28, 10.367 ± 0.73, 13.273 ± 0.76 and 16.450 ± 0.72. In general single born kids were heavier than the multiple born kids.
Body measurements
The biometric dimensions (in cm) of Andaman local goats at different ages and sex have been recorded in (Table 4). The overall chest girth (CG) for male goat at birth, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months was 25.9±2.18, 37.45±1.53, 47.25±3.51, 53.07±2.10, 60.12±1.89 respectively.  Measurements for paunch girth (PG) at birth, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months were 26.19±3.02, 40.43±2.42, 53.42±5.01, 58.53±3.31, 64±2.62 respectively. Measurements for body length (BL) at birth, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months were 25.04±3.56, 36.02±1.45, 42.92±3.64, 46.76±2.67 and 49.25±2.25 respectively. Measurements for height at withers (HW) at birth, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months were 26.19±1.68, 36.07±2.91, 43.84±2.73, 49.35±1.47 and 53±1.56 respectively. The overall chest girth (CG) for Female goat at birth, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months was 24.4±0.38, 37.38±0.54, 46.4±0.82, 52.05±1.02, 60.21±0.76 respectively.  Measurements for paunch girth (PG) at birth, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months were 25.08±0.41, 37.76±0.86, 46.7±1.10, 56.0±1.30, 67.0±1.34 respectively. Measurements for body length (BL) at birth, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months were 24.60±1.0, 34.38±0.49, 41.53±0.85, 43±0.91 and 50±0.86 respectively. Measurements for height at withers (HW) at birth, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months were 25.3±0.38, 34.3±0.75, 40.1±0.65, 44.9±0.71 and 51.93±0.63 respectively.
Reproductive performance
Age at first mating, weight at first mating, age at first kidding, weight at first kidding, service period, kidding interval and gestation period was 260 ±15.0 days, 8.49±0.89 kg, 420.0 ±12.0 days, 13.26±1.61kg, 101.20±11.23 days, 300.0 ± 20.0 days and 147.0± 2.0 days respectively (Table 5). The kidding percentage of 142.25 per cent on the basis of does kidded and the kidding rate of 1.61 was recorded in the present stock of Andaman local goats.

Health control measures
The overall mortality recorded in the Andaman local goats was 2.28 percent (Table 7).

Practical Utility
Baseline information collected on present status of goat farming, type of breeds, growth and reproductive parameters of goats, present marketing channel have helped formulation of strategies and technologies to provide to the goat keepers to increase the overall performance of goats and to improve the livelihood income through goatery.
The farmers are showing keen interest to raise breeding bucks from other flocks to avoid inbreeding and to improve the breeding efficiency. It is projected for getting immense help to conserve the indigenous breed in its native tract. It will be of great help for farmers who do not have their own breeding bucks.

Publications
Abstract

• Jai Sunder, A. Kundu, M.S.Kundu and T.Sujatha (2015). Morpho-biometrics traits of Andaman local goats. Presented in National seminar on Harmonizing Biodiversity and Climate change: Challenges and Opportunities (NSBC-2015)) held at ICAR-CIARI Port Blair on 17-19 April, 2015.

Constraints

• Sale of male goats at very early age.
• Non-cooperation in ear tagging.

TABLE 1. Flock Statistics of Andaman local goats for period under study
 (April-2014 to March-2015)

TABLE 2. POPULATION GROWTH (%) UNDER THE PERIOD OF THE REPORT
(April-2014 to March-2015)

TABLE 3. AVERAGE BODY WEIGHT (KG) GROWTH RECORDED UNDER THE PERIOD OF THE REPORT (April-2014 to March-2015)

TABLE 4. BIOMETRIC DIMENSIONS (CM) RECORDED UNDER THE PERIOD OF THE REPORT   (April-2014 to March-2015)

TABLE 5. REPRODUCTIVE PARAMETERS RECORDED UNDER THE PERIOD OF THE REPORT   (April-2014 to March-2015)

TABLE 6. REPRODUCTIVE EFFICIENCY RECORDED UNDER THE PERIOD OF THE REPORT (April-2014 to March-2015)

TABLE 7. MORTALITY RECORDED UNDER THE PERIOD OF THE REPORT
(April-2014 to March-2015)

TABLE 8. CAUSES FOR MORTALITY RECORDED UNDER THE PERIOD OF THE REPORT (April-14 to March-15)

TABLE 9.Extension Activities

TABLE 10. SOCIO - ECONOMIC PROFILE OF GOAT FARMERS

TABLE 11.PROPHYLACTIC TREATMENTS OF GOATS

Executive summary
Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has sanctioned All India Coordinated Research Project on Goat Improvement for Andaman local goat as field unit to the ICAR-Central Island Agricultural Research Institute, Port Blair, A & N Islands. The project was implemented w.e.f April 2014 with the main objective to bring about the improvement in the farmers flock. As per the mandate of the project, clusters were established and base line information on production and reproduction traits, managemental practices and disease pattern of Andaman local goats and socioeconomic status of goat keepers were recorded. Identification of animals was carried out in the project area. 
The total number of drafted and identified flock was 2681 animals including 1679 females. During the period of drafting, total 134 kids were born. Farmers are in need of good quality bucks and black colour is preferred rather than white for the religious function. The average mean body weight (kg) at birth, 3, 6, 9 and 12 month of female goat was 1.71 ± 1.23, 4.9 ± 0.37, 8.49 ± 0.57, 11.15 ± 0.97 and 15.11 ± 0.73 and the respective weight of male goat was 1.99 ± 0.15, 5.55 ± 0.28, 10.19 ± 0.73, 12.28 ± 0.76 and 16.04 ± 0.72. Age at first mating, weight at first mating, age at first kidding, weight at first kidding, service period, kidding interval and gestation period was 260 ±15.0 days, 8.49±0.89 kg, 420.0 ±12.0 days, 13.26±1.61kg, 101.20±11.23 days, 300.0 ± 20.0 days and 147.0± 2.0 days respectively .
The kidding percentage of 142.25 per cent on the basis of does kidded and the kidding rate of 1.61 was recorded in the present stock of Andaman local goats.
The percentage of singles, twins and triplets were 57.14, 75.71 and 4.28 respectively in the present population under study during the period.

Salient Achievements:

1. Andaman local goat field unit was established. Goat clusters have been identified in Port Blair and Ferrargunj tehsils.
2. Survey conducted and farmers were registered under the project and details of the goats were also recorded.
3. Till date the flock strength of 2681 goats have been recorded. Of which 1679 are female and 1002 are male goats.  Total numbers of adult does are 1043.
4. So far a total of 197 farmers have been registered under the projects and the average flock size is 8.52.
5. During the period a total of 65 goats died and 93 are sold. The cause of death is mainly due to bloat, diarrhea, dog bite, accidents etc. during the period a total 134 newborn kids were also recorded.
6. Data on average body weight were recorded for day old, 3, 6,9,12 month and age at puberty and age at first kidding. 
7. The average mean body weight at birth, 3, 6, 9 and 12 month of female goats was 1.71 ± 1.23, 4.9 ± 0.37, 8.49 ± 0.57, 11.15 ± 0.97 and 15.11 ± 0.73 and the respective weights of male goat was 1.99 ± 0.15, 5.55 ± 0.28, 10.19 ± 0.73, 12.28 ± 0.76 and 16.04 ± 0.72.

        The biometric dimensions of Andaman local goats at different ages and sex have been recorded. The overall chest girth (CG) for male goat at birth, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months was 25.9±2.18, 37.45±1.53, 47.25±3.51, 53.07±2.10, 60.12±1.89 respectively.  Measurements for paunch girth (PG) at birth, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months were 26.19±3.02, 40.43±2.42, 53.42±5.01, 58.53±3.31, 64±2.62 respectively. Measurements for body length (BL) at birth, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months were 25.04±3.56, 36.02±1.45, 42.92±3.64, 46.76±2.67 and 49.25±2.25 respectively. Measurements for height at withers (HW) at birth, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months were 26.19±1.68, 36.07±2.91, 43.84±2.73, 49.35±1.47 and 53±1.56 respectively. The overall chest girth (CG) for Female goat at birth, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months was 24.4±0.38, 37.38±0.54, 46.4±0.82, 52.05±1.02, 60.21±0.76 respectively.  Measurements for paunch girth (PG) at birth, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months were 25.08±0.41, 37.76±0.86, 46.7±1.10, 56.0±1.30, 67.0±1.34 respectively. Measurements for body length (BL) at birth, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months were 24.60±1.0, 34.38±0.49, 41.53±0.85, 43±0.91 and 50±0.86 respectively. Measurements for height at withers (HW) at birth, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months were 25.3±0.38, 34.3±0.75, 40.1±0.65, 44.9±0.71 and 51.93±0.63 respectively.

• Base line information on present status of production and reproduction traits, managemental practices, socio-economic status was also recorded.
• Age at first mating, weight at first mating, age at first kidding, weight at first kidding, service period, kidding interval and gestation period was 260 ±15.0 days, 8.49±0.89 kg, 420.0 ±12.0 days, 13.26±1.61kg, 101.20±11.23 days, 300.0 ± 20.0 days and 147.0± 2.0 days respectively .
• The kidding percentage of 142.25 per cent on the basis of does kidded and the kidding rate of 1.61 was recorded in the present stock of Andaman local goats.
• A total of 5 awareness programmes on “Scientific rearing of goat for improving productivity” was conducted at Sippighat village, New Bimblitan Village, Ranchi Basti village, Calicut village and one at Institute.  A total of 211 farmers have been trained under the project for scientific goat rearing. Mineral mixture powders were also distributed to the 120 farmers.
•  A total of 8 elite  Andaman local goat male bucks were purchased from the farmers field and is being reared at Institute farm for distribution to the farmers after attaining the sexual maturity.