The chief scientist Abdus Saleque at the Goat Research Centre under Assam Agriculture University said that goat farming can be a profitable business. Saleque who was interacting with a team of students and teachers of the University of Science and Technology Meghalaya (USTM) also said that it is one of the most sought-after meats at the present scenario.
“Goat farming is seeing positive indicators in India. It is one of the most sought-after meats and even the products from its milk are having good demand. Goats produce kids more than once a year, so if you start with few goats, you can soon maintain a sustainable farm. Also maintaining goats are comparatively easy,” Saleque said.
Saleque, who did his BVSc and MVSc from Assam Agriculture University, obtained his PhD from GB Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, Uttaranchal in 1990. His research work covering various fields of life sciences has received wide acceptance and appreciation from across the continents. Starting his career in 1977 as a veterinary assistant surgeon in the Assam government, he has today ascended to the position of the chief scientist of the Goat Research Centre.
In his deliberation, while dealing with all aspects of goat farming, he compared goat farming to five fingers of our hand, and said, “The five fingers of goat farming are – location and housing, selection of breed, management of the farm, nutrition of the goats, and health cover for the animals. He assured the visitors that if anyone wants to organise an awareness camp, or a training programme, or even a vaccination camp for the animals, the GRC would be ready to depute its officials and other requirements free of cost.
During the occasion, Rezwan Hussain, on behalf of the ‘Stars of North East’, a group of various professionals, handed over the award of Excellence to Saleque in recognition to his pioneering work in the field of research in the field of goat farming and prevention of disease among other livestock breeds in Assam.
