“Sales of Himalayan goats and sheep are the only source of income for my family. I don't think I will earn anything from crops this year,” he said. “I still have around 100 goats and sheep in the shed. I will sell them next year once they are fully grown.”
Likewise, Dyangcha Bista of Charang earned Rs 1.5 million from animal husbandry of sheep and Himalayan goats. Although last year he had to reach Pokhara to sell his animals, this year buyers themselves dropped in at his doorstep.
After tourism and apple farming, selling Himalayan goats and sheep is a huge source of income for farmers in Mustang. The cold climate and snowfalls makes the district suitable for rearing Himalayan goats and sheep.
“The demand for these animals is very high. We are finding it very difficult to meet the demands,” said Dhimi Sherchan, a local hotelier. Mustang farmers have also been buying the animals from Tibet to meet the demands. Baglung, Parbat and Pokhara are the main markets for the farmers.
According to District Livestock Service Office of Mustang, around 20,000 sheep and Himalayan goats have been sold from the district in the past six months. “Combined income of farmers from the sales stands at around Rs 3.6 million. Sale of one animal fetches them around Rs 18,000,” informed Dr Nanda Lal Barma of the office.
Among the 16 Village Development Committees of Mustang, around 20,000 farmers of Jomsom, Marpha, Kagbeni, Jhang, Muktinath, Chhoser, Surkhang, Charang, Lo Manthang, Chhusang and Chhonhup are engaged in animal husbandry. “Farmers like us earn at least Rs 200,000 to Rs 2.5 million by selling animals,” said Prem Tulachan of Tele.
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