Mustang District Earns Rs 160 Million from Sale of Himalayan Goats and Sheep During Dashain Festival

Mustang district recorded a substantial transaction of Himalayan goats (chyangra) and sheep during the Dashain festival, generating Rs 160 million in revenue. According to the Veterinary Hospital and Livestock Service Centre in Mustang, local farmers sold 4,800 Himalayan goats, with an additional 3,000 brought from Dolpa and Mugu districts for sale.

Chief of the Centre, Lal Mani Aryal, reported that 7,500 Himalayan goats and 500 sheep were sold during the festival. Each goat fetched between Rs 28,000 and Rs 38,000, depending on its weight. This marks a significant increase in production and sales compared to last year, when 7,000 goats and sheep were sold in the district.

The buyers, hailing from Myagdi, Baglung, Parbat, Kaski, and Kathmandu, favor the goats from Mustang for their healthy and nutritious quality. The goats, which reach slaughter age at around three years old, graze in pastures rich in medicinal herbs, making them a popular choice during festivals like Dashain and Tihar.

Arjun Paudel, a trader from Beni in Myagdi, highlighted the increased demand for goats reared in highland regions due to their superior quality. Mustang areas such as Gharapjhong, Loghekar Damodarkunda, Baragung Muktichhetra, and Lomanthang are well-known for raising these animals, providing a major source of income for local farmers. The rise in production and better prices have brought satisfaction to traders and farmers alike.