High-altitude pastures of Ladakh resonated with renewed focus on its prized indigenous breed as Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K) at KVK Leh Stakna celebrated National Goat Day recently. The event, held under the All India Coordinated Project (AICRP) on Changthangi Goat, specifically highlighted this unique Pashmina-producing breed as a cornerstone of the region's bio-economy and a vital asset for rural livelihoods.
With the objective to deepen awareness about the immense economic and nutritional importance of the Changthangi goat, promote scientific practices for its breeding and health, and encourage value addition in Pashmina and other goat products, an event commemorating the Foundation Day of ICAR–Central Institute for Research on Goats (CIRG), a premier institution dedicated to goat research, was held at KVK Leh. Prof Haroon Rashid Naik, Director of Research, SKUAST-K was Chief Guest and Tsewang Phuntsog, Director Horticulture, UT Ladakh, was the Guest of Honour at the occasion.
"India is home to over 168 million goats, rightfully called the 'poor man's cow,' but for Ladakh, the Changthangi goat is the very lifeline of our Changthang nomads," stated Dr Feroz Din Sheikh, Head, KVK Leh, in his welcome address. He underscored that the income of these nomadic communities is almost solely dependent on Pashmina production and marketing. Dr Sheikh also highlighted the superior nutritional profiles of goat meat and milk, emphasising the ongoing research under the AICRP-CG Project aimed at enhancing Ladakh's Pashmina goats.
Tsewang Phuntsog, Director Horticulture, UT Ladakh, reinforced the critical role of livestock, especially Changthangi goats, in achieving Ladakh’s vision of becoming an organic region. He emphasised the symbiotic relationship between these animals and sustainable agriculture in the harsh high-altitude environment.
In his address, Prof Naik lauded the KVK Leh team for initiating the first-ever National Goat Day in Ladakh, a significant step for the region. "Ladakh Pashmina is unequivocally one of the finest natural fibers in the world," Prof Naik asserted, urging farmers to further promote Changthangi goat rearing. He encouraged innovative value addition for goat milk and related products to substantially boost farmers' income and highlighted the availability of a Fibre Testing Laboratory at SKUAST-K for quality assurance.
Farmers attending the event raised various issues affecting Changthangi goat rearing, including the increasing threat from stray dogs, the lack of organised marketing facilities for Pashmina, and a concerning decline in the number of goat rearers in villages. They appealed to concerned departments for suitable policies and detailed studies to safeguard this vital traditional occupation.
The program also included valuable insights from Dr Phuntog Tundup (Head KVK Nyoma), Dr Kunzang Lamo (Scientist KVK Leh), and Dr Diskit Dolker (Scientist KVK Leh) on the importance of goat farming in Ladakh's unique terrain.
Tsering Chosgyal, a progressive Changthangi goat rearer, with felicitated with the "Best Goat Breeder" award. His success with over 500 Pashmina goats, generating an annual income of around ₹10 lakh served as a powerful testament to the breed's potential. Practical support, including tarpaulins, animal feed, superior breeding bucks, and agricultural tools, were distributed to participating farmers to bolster their rearing efforts.
The event featured stalls showcasing handloom products, value-added fruit products, and various technologies, emphasising processing and product diversification to further support goat-based enterprises.
More than 70 farmers from the crucial Changthang and Chuchot regions participated in the celebration, alongside official staff from various line departments of UT Ladakh.
