Nabarangpur, Oct 6: Raighari goats of Nabarangpur district are now in the race for national status. All information about goats has been provided to the National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources. Research, conducted by the OUAT, shows Raighari goats are famous for meat, milk, and manure.  These goats are found in Raighar block of Nabarangpur district. The breed is quite different from other goats as human babies can eat its milk.

For many years, Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) has been trying to give this goat breed status. Binjharpuri cow and Chilika buffalo have already been recognized as national breeds. More research was going on to find out how the Rayghari goat could be recognised as well. 

This breed of goat is found in Nabarangpur district's Dabugon, Umerkot, Jharigaon and Chandahandi, and Devogh on Odisha-Chhattisgarh border. Bhatara and Gond tribals have been raising their families by rearing these goats.

Its color is red. Similarly, goats of gray color mixed with black and white color are also seen. After 9 to 10 months, the goat's body begins to mature. They give birth every 7 to 8 months. They give birth to 2 to 3 cubs at a time. The great thing is that the breeding of such goats is rapid. By 12 months, the cubs weigh 17 to 18 kg. A large goat (adult) weighs up to 32 kg.

A female goat gives half a liter to a liter of milk per day. About 48.5 percent of the goat's body weight is edible meat, while 200 kg of manure is obtained from one goat per year. The manure is one and a half times stronger than cow dung.

However, in 2016, the Department of Animal Resources Development asked the OUAT to conduct a research on these goats. If this species is recognized as a breed, farmers across he State would be encouraged to rear these goats. In this regard, Dr. Sushant Das said, Goat's body has a high resistance to diseases. Therefore, their milk is very useful for humans.

Dr Radheshyam Laika, Chief Veterinarian of Nabarangpur District, said that an application has been made for national recognition of native goats of Raighari breed.