Evaluation of Goat Production Opportunities on The Embankment of Shrimp Farms in Southwest Coastal Region of Bangladesh

Abstract

Goats are a significant source of protein, and often, the goat industry can help farmers overcome an unexpected situation that requires quick financing. This study was conducted to monitor the scope of goat rearing and evaluate the chemical content of naturally grown grasses in embankments of shrimp farms in the southwestern coastal region of Bangladesh. An interview schedule was prepared considering the objectives of the study. Three upazilas for data collection viz. Dumuria of Khulna, Tala of Satkhira and Fakirhat of Bagerhat district have been selected. Fifty farmers were randomly selected from each upazila for data collection. Samples of naturally grown grass were collected from the study area to determine its nutritional value. After collection, green grass samples were subjected to chemical analysis for determination of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), crude fiber (CF), and total ash (TA) at Animal Husbandry Laboratory, Khulna University, Khulna. Both survey and grass sample data were analyzed using the SPSS (version 22) computer program. The results of the survey showed that 75% of the farmers had their own shrimp farms. Among the goat breeds, Black Bengal was predominant (77.3%), Jamunapari was also seen in 19.3% cases. The mean age at first kidding (d), mean kidding interval (d) and mean litter size (No.) were 386.71, 189.70 and 1.91 respectively. The average mortality rate was only 1.23%. The results of the survey also stated that 72.0% of the respondents said that the grass grown naturally in the embankment of shrimp farm meets the nutritional needs of the goats. Among the grass samples, Kash (Saccharum spontaneum) had highest dry matter (DM) contents (45.39%±0.95), Durba (Cynodon dactylon) had highest (p<0.001) crude protein (16.07%±0.20), Gitla (Paspalum conjugatum) had highest (p<0.01) crude fiber (CF) (30.03%±0.20), Kash (Saccharum spontaneum) had highest (p<0.05) ether extract (3.42%±0.14) and Shama (Echinochola crussgalli) had highest total ash content (18.57%±0.18). The results of the study concluded that embankment of shrimp farms in southwest coastal region of Bangladesh have good potential for goat production considering first kidding, short kidding interval, good litter size and good nutritional value of naturally grown grasses.