Narayanpatna goat is a resilient breed from Odisha’s Eastern Ghats but unscientific breeding can tamper livestock quality

The Narayanpatna goat is a native breed in Odisha that has cultural and agricultural significance because of its distinctive physical features, ability to withstand harsh agroclimatic conditions and economic usefulness in marginal farming systems. 

“Since I was around 8-9 years old, I have seen people in our village raising Narayanpatna goats,” recalled Limne Bingodika, a resident of Tanginipadara village in Narayanpatna block which is situated in Odisha’s Koraput district. 

“This goat breed is sturdy, agile and they rarely fall sick,” Lime explained, while showing a herd of 10 Narayanpatna goats she rears to support her household income. 

Abhinash Bingodika, a small-scale farmer from the village said, “We follow the wisdom of our grandparents to select the healthiest and strongest goat for breeding. While breeding, we make sure not to mix with other goat breeds.” 

The Narayanpatna goat is a non-descriptive Indian native goat breed, predominantly found in the hilly landscape of Narayanpatna and Bandhugaon blocks of Southern Odisha’s Koraput district.  

Much more than a resource

This resilient, adaptable goat population has been a lifeline for tribal communities such as the Kondh and Paroja. For these tribal communities, goats are not only a source of meat and income but also a symbol of social and cultural identity. 

These goats are traditionally exchanged during marriages and festivals. They feature prominently in ritual sacrifices and religious ceremonies. Income from selling goats often supplements rainfed agricultural earnings, providing financial security in times of crop failure or emergencies. 

Women and children actively participate in goat rearing, making it a gender-inclusive enterprise that empowers marginalised groups. 

Their management is largely extensive; goats graze and browse freely in forested hilly areas, feeding on natural vegetation, shrubs and crop residues. 

Narayanpatna block is characterised by undulating terrain, dense forests and a largely tribal population. The area experiences a tropical monsoon climate with hot summers, substantial rainfall, and mild winters. 

This challenging ecological backdrop has shaped the Narayanpatna goat into a hardy and adaptable animal capable of thriving on minimal resources. The goat’s resilience to survive on sparse vegetation and limited water sources makes it well-suited for the marginal lands and subsistence economy of the region. 

The breed has shown resistance to several common diseases, a likely result of natural selection in a challenging environment. Endo and ecto-parasitic infestations are minimal compared to other exotic or crossbred goats, reducing dependency on veterinary interventions.

Watershed Support Services and Activities Network (WASSAN), a Hyderabad-based non-profit organisation, has collaborated with Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) in Bhubaneswar to provide training on identifying, characterising and registering native breeds in the state. 

The livestock experts of WASSAN developed data analysis and breed descriptors under the supervision of  Sushant Kumar Dash, Professor and Head of Animal Genetics and Breeding, Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) and Devender Kumar Sadana, former scientist at the National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources. 

The findings of breed documentation carried out by WASSAN has been remarkable. The Narayanpatna goat has a compact and robust body frame, with a straight back, broad chest, and moderately developed hindquarters. Males are generally larger and heavier than females. 

The breed exhibits sexual dimorphism, with bucks having a more prominent beard and larger horns. 

The goat is easily recognisable by its distinctive appearance. Medium to large in size, these goats exhibit a wide variety of coat colours, though white with black or brown patches is the most common. Other colours include pure white, black, brown and grey. 

Both sexes possess horns, which are typically short to medium in length and curved backwards. The ears are medium-sized, flat, and drooping, a feature that is both aesthetic and functional in dissipating heat. 

The Narayanpatna goat is primarily reared for meat, which is fondly relished among the local population. 

The breed demonstrates good reproductive efficiency under low-input conditions. The average age at first kidding is around 16-18 months, and the kidding interval ranges from 8-10 months. Twins are common, although single births predominate. 

Adult bucks weigh approximately 30-35 kg, while does weigh around 25-30 kg. The average body weight of this breed at one year of age is 12-15 kg for marketing. Growth rates, although moderate, are adequate to meet the subsistence needs of tribal households. 

The dressing percentage, an important economic trait for meat production, is relatively high, ensuring satisfactory returns at local markets.

Emanating threats

Despite its many strengths, the Narayanpatna goat faces threats from indiscriminate crossbreeding, habitat degradation and lack of scientific breeding programmes. There is an urgent need for breed conservation through documentation, selective breeding, and the establishment of breed societies. 

Conservationists have emphasised the importance of in situ preservation, allowing the breed to continue evolving within its native habitat while improving its productivity through community-based genetic improvement initiatives. 

Further research into the breed’s adaptive traits and production potential could unlock avenues for its sustainable utilisation. Introducing better management practices, healthcare interventions, and value chain linkages will also enhance the economic viability of Narayanpatna goats for tribal farmers.

The Narayanpatna goat stands as a testament to nature’s ability to craft animals exquisitely suited to their environments and to the ingenuity of indigenous communities who have preserved such resources through generations. 

“Recognising native breeds is a crucial step to conserve biodiversity, safeguard cultural heritage and ensure sustainable livelihood for small and marginal farmers,” said Suresh Kumar Vashishth, IAS, Principal Secretary, Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Department, Government of Odisha. 

“The government should help us to register this goat breed. This will provide an identity and protect our traditional breed,” said Sarambu Bingodika, a farmer from Tanginipadara village in Narayanpatna. We also need support for better shelter management and access to veterinary services, he urged. 

Sana Datta Vasuki Satyanarayana is a Livestock Expert at WASSAN, Bhubaneswar, Odisha.

Sailaja Prasad Nayak is a Senior Programme Officer-Livestock at WASSAN, Bhubaneswar, Odisha.

Mrutyunjay Mahapatra is a Programme Officer-Livestock at WASSAN, Koraput, Odisha.

Views expressed are authors’ own and do not reflect those of Down To Earth