Bhubaneswar: When Chanchala Mahanta from Mayurbhanj’s Thakurmunda, took to the stage at International Goat Day 2025, her story struck an emotional chord. With her son battling a rare disease that is causing blindness, goat farming became her sole means of survival. She expanded her herd and secured a stable income. “Goat farming has given me the strength to face life with dignity. I can now provide for my son’s treatment and save for the future,” she said.
Her journey was one of many celebrated at the event, where 17 progressive farmers from Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj were felicitated for their resilience and contributions to goat farming. Among them was Latamani Mahanta of Keonjhar, who began with just a few goats in 2015 and now inspires women in her village to embrace goat farming. “With training and exposure, I learned better ways of managing animal health, feeding, and marketing. Today, goat farming not only sustains my family but also motivates others in my community,” she said.
The event, organised by Passing Gifts, a subsidiary of Heifer International was held under the theme “Herding Hope: Empowering Odisha’s Goat Farmers for a Resilient Future.” It brought together farmers, policymakers, researchers, and development partners to deliberate on strengthening Odisha’s goat farming sector, which sustains thousands of smallholder families, especially women and tribal communities.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister of State, Fisheries & Animal Resources Development, Gokulananda Mallik, affirmed government support: “Goat farming is a lifeline for thousands of smallholder farmers in Odisha. Our priority is to ensure that goat rearing becomes not just a means of survival, but a pathway to prosperity.”
Experts also underlined the sector’s potential. Dr. Manish Chatli, Director, ICAR-CIRG, stressed that improved breeds and scientific feeding could double productivity, while Dr. Niranjan Panda, Dean Research, OUAT, emphasized practical solutions like fodder banks and climate-resilient shelters.
Akshaya Kumar Biswal, Program Director, Passing Gifts, summed up the spirit of the day: “Goat farming is not just about livestock—it is about building resilience, creating income opportunities, and empowering women at the grassroots.”
The event concluded with a collective call to strengthen partnerships between government, research institutions, financial agencies, and grassroots farmers to build a resilient goat farming ecosystem in Odisha.
