Utilization of natural feed resources by goats in smallholding farming system in Bangladesh

Few heads goats of mixed age are reared per household at subsistence level to supplement income for livelihood. Communal grazing land provides 87% forage and remaining is met from various tree fodder, shrubs and crop residues. Goat production is characterised by small-scale and scavenging systems. Various inexpensive supplements such as tree leaves and bran to goats may benefit from access to essential nutrients and may be the basis to any strategy to improve goat production systems. Adequate supplementation of unconventional feeds are needed to improve utilization of basal feeds for reproductive and growth performances of goats. Smallholding farming system of goats can make efficient utilization of feed, labor and may provide opportunity for generation of farm income. Implementation of simple and sustainable technologies and their promotional services at the farmer’s level will improve rearing systems effectively and profitably, all of which add up to making economically viable and biologically sustainable.