The number of goats in private households of Ukrainians decreased, but there were more animals at agricultural enterprises, the acting statement said. Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine Olga Trofimtseva.

Observing the number of goats since 2015, one can trace the tendency to a gradual decrease in the number of livestock in private households of citizens and its equally gradual increase in agricultural enterprises of the country. By the beginning of this year, 9.6 thousand goats were concentrated in the hands of agricultural enterprises, Olga Trofimtseva shares information.

Agricultural enterprises received 1.2 thousand tons of milk from goats during 2018, which is only 0.05% of all milk produced in the country. Now there is a large increase in the number of goats in some regions of Ukraine.

So, since 2015, the number of goats has doubled in the Kherson region, in the Kiev region - by 40%, in the Lviv region - by 14.8%, Olga Trofimtseva noted. Goat farming can be of interest to small farms and cooperatives, as it is cost-effective and allows you to develop rural areas due to the niche and craft production of goat milk products.

Its production contributes to the development of green tourism, exports and other activities not related to agriculture. Olga Trofimtseva believes that government support for goat breeding under existing programs is insufficient.

She asks for the support of deputies in passing amendments to the Law of Ukraine “On State Support of Agriculture of Ukraine” so that goats are included in the list of objects of state subsidies. After the approval of these changes, the goat breeders will be able to receive support from the state for the acquisition of goats, including the brood stock.