Data compiled by the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives (MoAC) revealed total meat production that include buffalo meat, chicken, mutton, goat meat, pork and duck meat rose by 27,412 tons during the review year from 250,213 tons in 2009-10.[break]
But, despite annual rise in meat production, Nepal is still highly dependent on imports to meet the local demand for meat. According to a rough estimate, Nepal is importing meat worth Rs 15 billion every year to meet the demand in the domestic market.
MoAC officials attributed the double digit rise in net meat production to increased commercial livestock farming encouraged by soaring demand. "Impact of commercial livestock farming with support of government and non-governmental organizations drove up meat production in the country.
Rising demand for meat in major urban areas encouraged livestock farming in the surrounding areas," said Hem Raj Regmi, Senior Statistics Officer at MoAC.
Government data shows production of buffalo meat, which accounts for two-third of total meat production in the country, touched 167,868 tons during the year against 162,358 tons in 2009/10. Similarly, production of chicken has more than doubled to 36,085 tons from 17,551 tons in 2009-10.
Production of goat meat, which accounts for 19 percent of total meat production, stood at 52,809 tons, up 5 percent compared to the previous year. Similarly, production of sheep meat went up to 17,923 tons from 17,059 tons in 2009-10 whereas duck meat slipped a little to 218 tons from 225 tons.
Under the regionwise performance, meat production reached 68,924 tons in Eastern Region, 87760 tons in Central Region, 53,579 tons in Western Region, 42,427 tons in Mid-Western Region, 24,941 tons in Far-Western Region.
Related story
Rallies erupt on ‘dog meat day’ in South Korea
_20190926071446.jpg)
