Vol. 9, Issue 1, Part J (2025)

The Jaunpuri goat, an indigenous breed predominantly found in the eastern region of Uttar Pradesh, India, is a dual-purpose breed valued for its significant contributions to meat and milk production. This review highlights the breed's socio-economic importance for small and marginal farmers, who constitute 85% of the goat-rearing population in the region. Distributed across districts like Jaunpur, Mirzapur, Sultanpur, Varanasi, and others, the breed thrives in the Indo-Gangetic plain characterized by hot summers (30-45 °C) and cool winters (5-20 °C). Morphometric data reveal that Jaunpuri goats exhibit a wide range of coat colors, with 40.94% showing black with white spots, and skin predominantly black (68.12%). Muzzle color is primarily black (82.61%). Average body weights of males aged above 12 months reach 30.44±0.978 kg, while females in the same age group weigh 26.21±0.809 kg. Horn characteristics indicate that 94.47% of the goats are horned, with straight horns (58.66%) being predominant. Ear lengths range from 10.00±0.654 cm in males aged 0-3 months to 18.07±0.202 cm in males above 24 months. Despite their unique genetic traits, the breed faces challenges such as genetic dilution due to crossbreeding and limited conservation efforts. This review underscores the need for targeted conservation strategies to preserve this valuable genetic resource.