Recently Recognized Breeds of Goat in India

In India, total livestock population is 535.78 million among that of India's goat population has been analyzed it has 148.88 million goats, India holds the largest goat population in the world. Over 70 per cent of its people are engaged in vocations connected with farming and animal husbandry. Projections indicate that this number will rise to 162.32 million by 2031. Four states - Rajasthan, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar - account for 43.27% of the country’s total goat population. Rajasthan's Barmer district has the largest goat population (2.947 million), followed by Murshidabad in West Bengal (1.751 million), Jodhpur in Rajasthan (1.641 million), and Maldah in West Bengal (1.376 million). The Black Bengal breed has the largest population (17.409 million), followed by Marwari (5.348 million), Osmanabadi (2.481 million), and Barbari (2.194 million) (Livestock census, 2019). Although the overall goat population declined by 3.82% between 2007 and 2012, the population of registered breeds dropped at a significantly higher rate (21.7%) during the same period. Therefore, urgent conservation and improvement measures are necessary to prevent further decline and enhance the productivity of recognized goat breeds. Goats are versatile animals and an underutilized source of meat, possessing traits that make them well-suited for sustainable red meat production. They exhibit remarkable adaptability to harsh environments in terms of productivity, reproduction, and disease resistance. For instance, goats can endure heat stress, survive extended periods without water, and thrive in areas with limited land availability. They are also more efficient when raised alongside other ruminants, as they function as both grazers and browsers. Their ability to consume grasses and woody plants that other ruminants avoid makes them an excellent choice for diversified farming.