Kashmir’s 1st modern goat farm set to boost employment, rural economy

Srinagar, Jun 27: In a significant step toward transforming livestock-based livelihoods in the Kashmir Valley, the region’s first modern goat farm is nearing completion in Bandipora district.

The project, hailed as a game-changer for dairy goat farming in the region, is being developed with a financial outlay of Rs 8.36 crore, including Rs 3.5 crore support under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP), and assistance from NABARD.

Designed exclusively for dairy goat farming, the farm is expected to usher in a new era of scientific goat rearing in Kashmir—a region where pastoral traditions have long been the domain of Gujjar and Bakerwal communities. The facility will initially house 450 high-yield Swiss Alpine goats, a breed known for its adaptability and superior milk production. The farm will serve dual roles: as a breeding centre and as a supply hub for private entrepreneurs aiming to establish goat-based ventures with institutional support.

Officials associated with the project say the farm will be instrumental in creating rural employment opportunities, strengthening the region’s dairy infrastructure, and promoting entrepreneurship among young people. “This is not just a livestock project; it is a rural development intervention with long-term economic potential,” said a senior official involved with the initiative.

Goat rearing has deep cultural and economic roots in Kashmir. For centuries, Gujjars and Bakerwals practised nomadic pastoralism, migrating with flocks across mountain pastures. However, systematic efforts to improve goat breeds remained limited, with earlier livestock programs in Kashmir focusing primarily on sheep, particularly crossbreeding local stock with Merino varieties during the mid-20th century.

Goat development gained institutional attention with the establishment of the Department of Sheep Breeding and Development in 1962, which began selective breeding programs, including those for the highly valued Pashmina goats of Ladakh.

While earlier goat farms—especially in Ladakh—focused on conserving the Pashmina breed for cashmere wool production, the Bandipora facility marks the first modern, research-driven goat farm in Kashmir Valley. Its focus on dairy production sets it apart from traditional goat-rearing practices and aligns with the government’s push for agricultural diversification and rural self-sufficiency.

Experts say the farm could catalyse a major shift toward commercial goat farming in the Valley, which until now has remained largely unorganised. By providing quality breeds, scientific know-how, and market linkages, the farm is poised to create livelihood opportunities for farmers, particularly in remote areas where landholdings are small and options for economic advancement are limited.

Additionally, the project is expected to benefit women and youth by opening avenues in goat milk processing, marketing, and allied sectors, thereby adding value to the rural economy. “It’s a model that can be replicated across districts,” said an official from the Animal Husbandry Department.

As Kashmir moves from traditional animal rearing to organised, science-based livestock farming, the Bandipora goat farm stands as a testament to how innovation and tradition can converge to drive rural prosperity. The project, once fully operational, is expected not only to supply improved breeds but also to serve as a knowledge centre for aspiring entrepreneurs across the Valley.