Factors Affecting the Raising of Angora Goat: The Cases of Konya-Karaman Provinces in Turkey

Abstract

In this study, the change in numbers of goat in Turkey, and the factors effectingof breeding angora goats in farms was investigated in example of Konya-Karamanprovinces. According to the results of research, as the number of angora goatwas 3.6 million in 1980, it receded to 151,091 in 2011 in Turkey. While the number of angoragoat was 144,449 in 1991, it fell to 12,299 in 2011, in the central Anatolia region. According to the manager of angora goatbreeding farms, the most efficient factor in reducing of angora goat numberswas the decreasing of mohair prices since the increase of production ofsenthetic staple and thread in textile sector from 1950s. Also the other factorwas the lack of shepherds as a result of increase in migration from rural to urban. Despiteof reducing of angora goats in Turkey,it was obtained that the contribution to family income of angora goatsbreeding and the easy management of sheep herds with angora goats were mostefficient factors to the continuity of angora goats breeding in the examinedfarms.