Often renowned as the ‘poor man’s cow’ or the ‘poor man’s ATM’, goats are often praised for their low cost and ease of rearing. This nickname fits the Barbari breed, which has become a lucrative venture for local farmers like Ziaul.
Ziaul, a resident of Uttar Pradesh’s Bahraich, has been successfully raising Barbari goats for several years. He maintains a herd of 30 to 40 goats, including their offspring, in a specially designed 500-square-foot goat house. The facility features a large iron stand for fodder and water, and a mud floor to ensure the goats can move comfortably.
The Barbari breed, renowned for its meat production, is predominantly found in districts of Punjab, Rajasthan, Agra, and Uttar Pradesh. These medium-sized goats are characterised by their dense bodies, small flat ears, and weight ranges of 38-40 kg for males and 23-25 kg for females.
Barbari goats are also noted for their distinctive appearance. Males measure about 65 cm in length, while females are around 75 cm long. They come in various colours, with light brown spots on a white body being particularly common.
Both sexes sport thick beards, and the average milk yield is between 1.5 to 2.0 kg per day, with a maximum of 140 kg of milk produced at one time. The low cost of rearing Barbari goats, combined with their profitability, makes them an attractive option for farmers seeking a sustainable income source.
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