CARI scientists in Andaman successfully produce Boer goat crosses

Port Blair, Oct 26 (UNI) Central Agricultural Research Institute (CARI) scientists have successfully produced cross breeds of goats in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands through artificial insemination technology.

CARI Director Dr R C Srivastava told UNI here today, ''A sustained effort by scientists of the Animal Science Division at CARI has resulted in the successful production of cross breeds of goats (Andaman local goat x Boer goat).'' He said the present experiment was the first of its kind in the islands and the performance evaluation experiment showed successful adaptability of the new cross breeds to the island ecosystem and higher body weight gain (20-40 per cent more than the native goats) at the marketable age (12 months).

''The performance of the upgraded goat is satisfactory and neither kid mortality, nor any disease has been encountered during the period of study,'' Scientist (Veterinary Gynaecology and Obstetrics) Dr S Jeyakumar said.

Dr Jeyakumar was conducting the experiment under the guidance and supervision of Head of the Animal Science Division in CARI, Dr A Kundu.

Dr Srivastava said the current technology had brightened prospects for better economic viability of goat farming and mutton availability in the islands and created high demand for good meat breeds among the island farmers.

Realising the importance of goat farming in the islands, in the recent past, CARI had successfully trained approximately 150 farmers on goat farming in collaboration with various NGOs and developed a micro business module on goat farming for various agricultural entrepreneurs, Dr Srivastava added.

The director had released and distributed Boer cross breed goats among the farmers and agricultural entrepreneurs of South Andaman on October 15 for improving livelihood and employment generation through participatory evaluation mode.

UNI