Sindhupalchok district is witnessing a new wave of investments in goat farming, as locals are keenly capitalising on the growing demand for goat meat, which reaps excellent returns. The district’s locals have been switching to investing in goat farming disregarding jobs in other sectors, such as farming and foreign employment.

Bisnu Prasad Adhikari, of Jugal rural municipality Baramchi, has been doing goat farming for a year now. Adhikari, who spent more than half a decade in Saudi Arabia and Dubai, left his job there to start goat farming in the district. He runs his goat farm in coordination with other youths of the village.

Within a year, the enterprise run by Adhikari’s group of 20 youths, is earning a good sum of money by selling goats reared in his farm. “I started goat farming because I thought of doing something in my own country instead of struggling in a foreign land,” said Adhikari. “I am happy that I took that decision.”

He started goat farming by bringing in selective breeds of goat from farms in Kavre and Kathmandu. “Our monthly sales revenue is around Rs1.5 million,” said Adhikari.

According to Sanat Adhikari, ward chairperson of Baramchi, several other youths of the district are being encouraged to undertake goat farming after seeing the benefits of the business. To further encourage youth, the ward also launched a self-employment campaign.

“We are providing subsidies as well as coordinating with insurance companies to insure goats. We hope this will aid locals to become self-sufficient entrepreneurs,” he said.

Jhanak Parajuli, a local of Belfi rural municipality, is another success story. Parajuli, who started rearing goats a couple of years ago—with just 12 goats, is earning a handsome income from his venture. “I used to think that one can’t make it in life without working in foreign lands. But goat farming has helped me lead a dignified life with good income,” said Parajuli.  

Currently, there are around 100 goats in Parajuli’s farm. According to Durga Dutta Panthi, an officer at the District Agriculture Office, a majority of the farmers work together in groups and establish cooperatives, which has been a very successful model.