The Ministry of Agriculture is taking measures to introduce goat farming to unemployed youths in rural areas of Sri Lanka, it was reported.
According to Daily News, Minister of Agriculture Mahinda Amaraweeera said that 70,000 goats will be distributed to unemployed youths in rural areas and those interested in goat farming.
Pointing out that goat farming is not conducted on a large scale in Sri Lanka at present, resulting in goat meat and goat milk being imported from foreign countries, he said a high income can be obtained from goat skin and producing goat manure.
Minister Amaraweera further said that thereby, the Agriculture Ministry has decided to allocate Rs. 150 million this year for the goat farming project in order to get additional sources of income.
He went on to state that the youths will be provided with high-quality goats and the technology required for goat management as well as to buy back products related to goat farming. Several suitable goat breeds such as Jamanpari, Kottukachchi, Boer and Sanan which can generate more income have been identified for this purpose, he said. Stating that by the end of this year, 70,000 goats will be provided, the minister revealed that the aim is to further increase the amount in 2024.
The Agriculture Minister stated that a few districts with space for goat management will be selected for the project to be launched, adding that Private sector support is also to obtained. Minister Mahinda Amaraweera made the remarks during a discussion held with a group of officials, including the Minister of State for Rural Development Kader Mastan, at the Ministry of Agriculture.
