Himalayan goats worth Rs 160 million sold in Mustang

Mustang district recorded the transaction of Himalayan goats and sheep, earning Rs 160 million during the Dashain festival.

Veterinary Hospital and Livestock Service Center in Mustang informed that 4,800 Himalayan goats reared by the farmers in Mustang and 3,000 others brought from Dolpa and Mugu districts were sold in the district.

Center's chief Lal Mani Aryal informed that 7,500 chyangra (Himalayan goats) and 500 sheep were sold in the district. The Mustang farmers sold each Himalayan goat at a price ranging from Rs 28,000 to Rs 38,000 considering the weight.

Last year, as many as 7,000 Himalayan goats and sheep were sold in the district. The Mustang goats were bought by the people from Myagdi, Baglung, Parbat, Kaski and Kathmandu city.

The traders have been happy to see a rise in production of Himalayan goats and sheep that fetched better prices compared to the past.

Arjun Paudel from Beni of Myagdi informed that the goats reared in the highlands are considered healthy and nutritious, as they graze in the pasture having medicinal herbs. Chyangra and sheep are consumed more during the festivals as Dashain and Tihar. The Himalayan goat reaches a slaughter age when it is three-year-old.

Gharapjhong, Loghekar Damodarkunda, Baragung Muktichhetra and Lomanthang are some places famous for chyangra. It is the major source of income for the farmers here.