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Goat Production Systems in the Tropics
Goat production systems in tropical regions vary according to climate, availability of grazing land, management practices, and economic conditions. In the tropics, goats are reared under extensive, semi-intensive, and intensive systems. These systems differ in feeding management, housing, labour requirement, and movement of animals. Proper understanding of goat production systems helps improve productivity, disease control, breeding management, and efficient utilization of available resources.
Types of Goat Production Systems in the Tropics
- Extensive Production System
- Semi-Intensive Production System
- Intensive Production System
1. Extensive Production System
Extensive systems are commonly practiced in tropical regions where large grazing areas are available. Goats mainly depend on natural pasture, shrubs, and browse plants with minimal labour and capital investment.
Nomadic System
The nomadic system is one of the oldest and most difficult systems to improve because it involves continuous movement of both the flock and the owners from one place to another in search of pasture and water. In this system, goats are not divided according to age, sex, or reproductive status, and supplementary feeding is rarely possible.
Nomadic goat keepers possess good knowledge of seasonal grazing areas, browse plants, and water sources. This system is mainly found in arid and semi-arid regions where grazing resources are sparse and seasonal.
Transhumant System
The transhumant system is a modified form of the nomadic system. In this system, the flock spends part of the year grazing near a permanent village base and the remaining part on distant seasonal pastures, usually located in different ecological zones.
Women, children, and elderly family members generally remain in the village and may engage in crop cultivation. Pregnant and newly kidded does are often maintained near the village and fed crop residues, tree leaves, and other locally available feeds. Bucks may also be controlled separately, which helps in selective breeding and regulation of kidding seasons.
2. Semi-Intensive Production System
The semi-intensive system combines grazing with stall feeding and controlled management. It is more productive than extensive systems and requires moderate labour and investment.
Tethering System
In the tethering system, goats are tied individually in grazing areas using ropes or chains. Care should be taken to prevent strangulation due to entanglement with vegetation or other goats. Adequate shade, drinking water, and shelter from rain should always be provided.
The place of tethering should be changed regularly to provide fresh herbage and different browse plants. Tethering is an economical and efficient method of goat management. An improved form of tethering is the running-wire system, in which the tether slides along a stretched wire fixed between two posts, allowing greater movement of the animal.
3. Intensive Production System
Intensive production systems involve stall feeding or zero-grazing with very limited movement of goats. Goats are maintained under close supervision and are fed cultivated fodders, crop residues, concentrates, and other balanced feeds.
In this system, grazing may be carried out at very high stocking density on cultivated pastures or goats may be completely stall-fed. Proper fencing is essential because goats can easily climb, jump, or push through weak barriers. Fences generally need to be at least 1.5 meters high and made of strong wire mesh, wooden rails, or tightly stretched wires.
Although intensive systems require higher labour, housing, and feeding costs, they provide better control over breeding, feeding, disease management, and productivity.
