THE IMPORTANCE OF DEVELOPING DOWN GOAT BREEDING IN THE REPUBLIC OF KAZAKHSTAN

Abstract

The article is devoted to the disclosure of the importance and relevance of the development of goat breeding in the agricultural sector of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Currently, one of the priorities of the agro-industrial complex is to provide the population with environmentally friendly and biologically valuable livestock products, as well as to reduce import dependence. In this context, goat breeding is considered as a promising area of meat, milk, down and wool production. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), goats are raised in more than 170 countries around the world, and their total number exceeds 1.15 billion heads. Every year, the number of goats increases by an average of 6 million heads due to breeds mainly dairy and meat. The majority of the goat population by continent is in Asia (66.3%) and Africa (25.7%), which indicates a high propensity of the industry to natural and climatic conditions. In Kazakhstan, the abundant reserves of pasture resources create favorable conditions for the development of goat breeding, especially the down-wool direction.