The effect of goat-sharing system on the performance of farmer groups raising Etawah cross bred goats – a case study in ‘Sukorejo’, Girikerto, Turi, Sleman

Abstract

The case study was conducted in a farmer group keeping Etawah Cross Bred goats at the village of Girikerto, Turi, Sleman. The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of a goat- sharing system on the performance of farmer groups and their goats. This system was set up by giving one or two pregnant goats to a farmer and 1 buck was provided for 10 females. The farmer had to return 2 adult females from the first and the third pregnancy. The first goats were rolled to another farmer. After passing the period of sharing system, the farmer became the sole possessor of the initial does and all the kids from all subsequent offspring. The result showed that this sharing system had increased the number of goats (from 49 to 137 within 2 years), improved sanitation and supported farmers to produce milk. The group produced 10 to 12 litres milk/day. The physical characteristics of the goats were below those of the standard Etawah Crossed Bred goat. However, the birth weight, weaning weight and body weight at the age of puberty and mortality was normal. The system could be appraised to have empowered farmers and increase their income. However, since the physical characteristics did not satisfy the standard of Etawah Crossed Bred goat, a scheme of breeding program was needed in order to attain better performance.