Port Blair, May 14: In A & N Islands, Goat rearing is very common among the farmers with average flock size of 8.54 goats. Goat constitutes about 42 % of the total livestock population in the islands and are found in almost all the inhabited islands and only inhabited islands (Barren Islands). Majority of the goats are Andaman local goat and the only registered goat breed from the island is the Teressa goat, which is mainly found in the Nicobar group of islands. Goat is generally considered to be very hardy animal and can thrive on any type of vegetation and climate. It constitute an important productive asset of landless, marginal, and small landholders of these islands and it generates a flow of income and employment throughout the year. However, the productivity of goats is low. The various cause for low productivity could be poor germplasm, lack of sufficient breeding animals, low grazing areas, socio-economic condition of the farmers, lack of adoption of scientific farming, lack of awareness about recent technologies, poor extension support, limited commercialization of goat farming and poor marketing channel and facilities (lack of organized slaughter house). Nevertheless, there is considerable potential to enhance the productivity of goats and their economic and food security contribution for the ever-increasing population of these islands.
Health care and biosecurity management of goat and its farm is very important to protect from diseases, pathogens, parasites and to improve the productivity and production. Generally, the islands is free from most of the contagious and infectious diseases of livestock, however the climatic condition of the islands favours the prevalence of parasitic diseases. Parasitic diseases are considered as the major problems which lowers the production as well as the health of the livestock. Both ecto-parasites and endoparasites are responsible for heavy economic losses directly as well as indirectly. In Andaman and Nicobar islands the incidence of both ecto and endo-parasites are very high. As per the disease trend, 99% of the total disease/case reported is due to parasitic infestation followed by bacterial disease and viral disease (1%). The study reveals that there is no sero-prevalence of brucellosis, however the trend of bluetongue and PPR sero-prevalence has been found to be alarming. The outbreak of contagious ecthyma and FMD were also reported from goats. Cases of coccidia, enterotoxaemia and tetanus is also common in the fields. In order to maintain the healthy goat flock, the farmers should know the biosecurity principles and the preventive measures to fight against the pathogens and diseases.
Health calendar for common diseases and preventive health care of goats in the islands
| Disease | Suggested screening Period | recommendations |
| Endo-parasites (Internal worms) | Regular screening of faecal samples
Generally high during the rainy season |
If worm load is high deworm the goat with broad spectrum anthelmintic (Ivermectin, albendazole, closantel etc)
At least four times in a year ( before the onset of monsoon is mandatory) |
| Ecto parasites | Generally observed during the dry and summer season | Dipping with Butox/ectomin (during the hot sunny days)
Spraying in the goat shed |
| Coccidiosis | Mostly observed in young goats (common during rainy season) | Anticoccidial (Sulphamethazine+ Trimethoprim)
Keep the shed always clean and dry |
| Foot and Mouth Disease | Regular screening of blood and observation of any clinical sign of the disease | Vaccinate the goats with FMD vaccine provided by DAHVS ( twice in a year) |
| Contagious ecthyma ( Orf) | Common during the summer season | Segregate the affected goat, clean with potassium permanganate and apply antiseptic, systemic antibiotic. |
| Mastitis | Observe any change in colour of the milk, enlargement and swelling of the udder, with fever, oozing of pus etc | Apply antibiotic injection.
Keep the shed always clean Drain out the milk daily and discard from the affected udder.
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| Other disease like Brucellosis, PPR, Bluetongue | Regular screening of blood samples | Presently these disease are not prevalent, however the sero-prevalence studies suggest the presence of antibodies.
Regular screening is recommended. Positive animal should be segregated from the flock. |
