goats in Kerala

Once upon a time, in villages people used to have goats. The goat milk was sold to teashops and that was a good income, especially to housewives who used to feed goats with grass and fallen jack leaves. To feed the goats, even water found wasted after washing rice for cooking was collected. That was called Kaadi in Tamil and Malayalam. Most people who eat rice as staple food collected the water called kanji water and gave it to goats.

These days I don't hear about anyone selling goat milk. A friend of mine tried to enter goat farm business in a big way. Had 400 young ones, each at 1500 rupees. ($30). It takes a year to fatten them and sell at 4000 rupees ($80). He had to buy fodder which cost Rs 13 every day. No need to say, that his business was a flop. No need to do any guess work, feeding costs added up to 4745 which is more than total sale price.

Another gentleman as 40 goats, but spends nothing on fodder. Near his farm, there is an open area with lots of grass. Nothing to pay for grass. However he has spent money on a goats herd and a shed. The manpower costs about Rs. 3000 per month. Good business, the joker in the pack is fodder. If there is ground for grazing goats, well and good, go ahead with goat business.