Kathmandu, 25, Sep: This year, Mustang district recorded sheep and chyangra (mountain goats) trade worth around Rs 365 million, largely driven by demand for Dashain. Farmers from Lho-Ghekar Damodarkunda, Lomanthang, and Baragung Muktikshetra rural municipalities, along with herders from Dolpa, Mugu, and Humla districts in Karnali Province, supplied the animals.
According to the Mustang Veterinary Hospital and Livestock Service Expert Center, local farmers sold 675 sheep (locally known as Chyaluk) and 7,201 chyangra. In addition, 500 sheep came from Mugu, 775 from Jumla, 550 from Tibet via the Korala border, and 5,900 from Dolpa, said Dr. Lalmani Aryal, head of the center.
Farmers Earn Big but Complain About Market Practices
Dr. Aryal noted that almost all livestock destined for Dashain have already been sold, bringing significant income to Mustang’s farmers. Sheep and chyangra were sold at prices ranging from Rs 28,000 to Rs 40,000 per head depending on size and age, with the average sales totaling more than Rs 360 million.
Compared to last year, sales rose by more than Rs 10 million. However, farmers say they face challenges due to fluctuating market prices set by traders. For example, traders often purchase animals at lower farm-gate prices but resell them at more than Rs 40,000 in the market. Angyal Gurung, a farmer from Chhoser, Lomanthang-1, said he alone sold more than Rs 15 million worth of livestock this year. “The earnings match our hard work, but traders’ manipulation of prices puts farmers at a disadvantage,” he remarked.
Raising a chyangra for meat typically takes three to five years, involving grazing, vaccination, and herding costs. Limited pasture and shortage of herders mean farmers cannot always meet growing demand. Yet, due to breed improvement and better management, Mustang’s chyangra has remained highly sought after.
Growing Demand Beyond Dashain
According to the Prime Minister Agriculture Modernization Project’s local unit, Mustang has around 56,000 chyangra across 100 registered farms. Only mature, market-ready animals are sold. After Dashain, an additional 4,000–5,000 animals are expected to be traded for Tihar.
Consumers prefer chyangra raised in the high Himalayan pastures, citing their unique taste and health benefits as the animals grow up feeding on Himalayan herbs.
