It is estimated that around 70,000 goats are needed for this Dashain.
Dr. Chandra Dhakal, the spokesperson for the Department of Livestock Services, said that around 70,000-80,000 goats will be needed for this Dashain in the valley. It is expected that consumption of goats will be more in the upcoming Dashain than in previous years as COVID-19 has been contained and there is an exuberance about celebrating the great festival after a long time.
He said, “COVID-19 is taken as something normal now compared to how people would be panicked in the past, and because of this Dashain will be vibrant this year. Therefore, it is estimated that the demand for goats will rise higher.”
Dhakal said that 55,000 thousand goats were brought to the valley last year. This year around 15,000 more goats will be consumed during Dashain and we are planning to bring in some 70,000 goats.
The department held a discussion with producers, consumers, and municipalities for supply assurance. Maintaining the quality of goats, dispatching in consumers, and its good management was discussed in the meeting.
Around 3,000 goats and mountain goats will be supplied by the Food Management and Trading Company Ltd. Kathmandu. Other necessary number of goats will be brought directly by the goat traders.
Spokesperson Dhakal said that the discussion held by the department on goat traders’ demand concluded that the demand for goats for this year will be met by internal production.
The goat traders said that goats were imported from foreign countries previously which will not be the case this year.
The goats and mountain goats will be supplied in markets only after ensuring that the goats are in good health for consumption.
Source : TRN,
