Husbandry system and efficiency of goat fattening among households in Nghe An Province, Vietnam

This study assessed the goat-fattening system among households, its economic efficiency, and farmers` constraints in goat fattening. A survey was conducted with 30 goat farmers randomly selected in Nghe An province. The results showed that goats are kept confined and fed a high level of commercial concentre (46-60%) in the diet. Two types of goats have been used for fattening: growing goats and culled female goats and two types of breeds (Co breed/Lao goat and Boer crossbred). The average fattening farm size was 88.2 goats/period. The weight of fattened goats for selling was from 29.0 to 38.3kg/head and live weight gain was from 3.7-5.4 kg/head/month. The profit of goat fattening was relatively good, from 494-590.8 thousand VND/goat/period (2-4 months). The goat fattening was a profitable alternative income opportunity for farmers in the study areas. Most of the farmers are facing difficulties in disease control, high prices of commercial concentrate, and unstable markets. The study suggests that extension programs need to improve the capacity of farmers in goat fattening techniques and disease management, as well as establish a sustainable linkage in the goat value chains for the sustainable development of goat farming.