Goat Farming Training Program in Birendranagar, Surkhet, Karnali Province.

Goat meats are favorable meat dishes in the dinner table of Nepalese, for which import of goats and sheep from neighboring countries takes place in huge quantities especially in festivals like Dashain. Hence, goat farming is a potential enterprise.  The three day goat rearing training under skill development program for potential member clients was organized by Nirdhan on 21^st Magh to 23rd Magh 2079 at Birendranagar, Surkhet District. The chief guest was Mr. Lok Bahadur Shahi ward chairman of Birendranagar Muncipality ward no 5 of Surkhet District inaugurated the training program. The training was attended by 28 participants of Micro Finance Members. The trainer Dr. Bikas Shrestha and Dr. Laxmi Narayan Das a Veterinary Doctor of Surkhet District had both input theoretical sessions based on practices in various locations to give a first-hand experience in the training program. The main topics discussed in training program were as following:

• The significance of goats, the characteristics that differentiate them from one to other domestic animals, the scope and nature of goat industries.
• Selection of an appropriate goat breeds for specific purposes
• How goats are breed?
• Manage an appropriate diet for a goat
• How to identify a sick goat?
• Common health issues that can affect goats; their prevention and treatment.
• Facilities needed, and husbandry tasks that need to be undertaken for the management of a goat.
• Kidding and raising kids.
• Commercial farming for goat meat and other products.
• Viable plans for goat rearing.

At the end of training, participants shared that the training was very useful and hope to get these types of training in future also and they also committed to share their knowledge with their friends and family members.