Goat meat production in Sri Lanka
1988
Rajaguru, A.S.B. (University of Peradeniya (Sri Lanka). Dept. of Animal Science)
Sri Lanka has a goat meat population of about 534,000. The highest concentration of goats are found in the dry and dry intermediate zones. The majority of goats reared in Sri Lanka are local or indigenous goats and crosses with improved breeds such as Jamunapari, Beetal, and Boer. Local goats produce little milk and are reared mainly for meat. The annual per capita consumption of goat meat in Sri Lanka is about 0.09 kg. The national extraction rate of goats for meat is about 25%. However, illegal slaughter accounts for about 17%. Goat meat marketing is controlled by the private sector. The retail price of goat meat in urban areas is higher than in rural areas. Among the different types of meat marketed in the country, goat meat fetches the highest possible price. The quality of goat meat is poor because of high bone to lean ratio. These two factors have caused lower consumer preference for goat meat. A lowering of production costs and improvement of carcass quality of goat meat have to be achieved to increase consumption. A sustained policy on goat development was initiated through the Sri Lanka - German Goat Development Programme in 1982. This program has created a considerable impact in the five districts selected for herd improvement, by the introduction of the Boer meat breed. If this program could also be introduced to the other districts by using such breeds as Jamunapari and Kotukachchiya (originated as a cross of Beetal and local goat) in addition to the Boer, Sri Lanka has a vast potential for developing the goat meat industry.
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