Goat-based integrated farming Circular economy model for doubling farmers' income

Abstract

The ICAR-Central Institute for Research on Goats (CIRG) has developed an innovative goat-based Integrated Farming System (IFS) model tailored to marginal farmers with small landholdings (0.4 hectares). This model integrates goat farming (20 goats), poultry rearing (250 birds), vermicomposting, azolla cultivation, and fodder production to maximize resource utilization and profitability. Over 30 months, the system demonstrated significant economic and ecological benefits, with annual net returns of `3,87,766 compared to `2,38,263 from goat farming alone and `72,071 from poultry farming. Additionally, the IFS model supports sustainability by reducing
waste, enhancing soil fertility through legume intercropping, and utilizing farm by-products. It generates 312 man-days of employment annually and is particularly suitable for semi-arid and arid regions, where traditional farming faces challenges due to erratic rainfall. The CIRG model offers a replicable and profitable approach to improve rural livelihoods while addressing food security and ecological balance.