Kathmandu: Sheep and goats worth Rs 100 million were traded during this festive season alone in Jumla district. The total amount of sale of the animals this year was lower by Rs 60 million compared to the last year’s festive season, officials said.
According to National News Agency Nepal, the Chief of Livestock Development Section of Chandannath Municipality in Jumla, Bir Bahadur Rawat, reported significant sales in major market areas, including the district headquarters Khalanga bazaar, where goats and sheep were sold amounting to Rs 100 million during the Dashain festival. In addition to goats and sheep, buffaloes were also sold for meat in the district.
The sale of livestock, such as goats, sheep, buffaloes, and fowls, typically sees an increase during the Dashain festival. This rise is attributed to the tradition of sacrificing these animals at goddess shrines and the general increase in meat consumption due to the festivities.
The Livestock Development Section of Chandannath Municipality provided data indicating that he-goats, sheep, and buffaloes worth Rs 163.2 million were traded during last year’s festive season. This year, a total of 5,843 sheep were traded in the district during the festival.
Bir Bahadur Rawat explained that the maximum price for each sheep was set at Rs 23,000, while the minimum price was Rs 9,000. Similarly, the maximum price for each he-goat was Rs 22,000, with the lowest rate at Rs 8,000.
Livestock in the district was sourced from neighboring regions, including Mugu, Kalikot, Dailekh, Bajura, and others. Local traders noted a reduction in prices for sheep and goats by almost 30 percent compared to the previous year.
The practice of selling sheep and goats from Jumla and nearby districts continues, as imports of Tibetan Himalayan goats ceased in 2068 BS. The Livestock Service Office in Jumla stated that farmers in the district have reared approximately 88,000 sheep.