Kathmandu, 17 Sep: Angyal Gurung from Chhoser, Lo-Manthang Village Municipality-1 in Upper Mustang, sold his premium quality ‘Rojja Chyangra’ (castrated sheep) for up to NPR 35,000 right within Mustang. Targeting the great Nepali festival of Dashain, traders came directly to his farm, allowing farmer Gurung to get as much as NPR 38,000 for some of his best, top-quality sheep.
Gurung, who has been active in sheep farming for about two decades, has already sold 150 sheep. He has come down to the district headquarters, Jomsom, to sell another 150. Farmer Gurung says, “Traders come hustling to the farm itself. I have no problem selling; this time, I will sell only 300 out of my 500 sheep.”
Gurung mentions that compared to the past, prices have decreased within Mustang this time as they are based on the size of the sheep, so they will be somewhat cheaper in the market. Overall, premium *Rojja Chyangra* are being sold in Mustang for NPR 35,000. Local traders, through farmers in Upper Mustang’s Lo-Manthang and Damodarkund Rural Municipalities, purchase the sheep and sell them in neighboring districts like Myagdi, as well as Baglung, Parbat, and even Kaski.
Substantial Earnings for Lower Mustang Farmers
In Lower Mustang, Angya (Ngwang) Gurung from Tiri Village, Waragung Muktikshetra Municipality-4, sold his sheep to Amrit Magar, a trader from Dolpa, for NPR 33,000 per sheep right at the farm. He received NPR 2.97 million in cash at his home. Farmer Gurung expressed his excitement that sheep were being sold for over NPR 30,000 right at the farm, and he plans to sell his remaining sheep during Tihar.
Farmer Gurung states, “Production does not meet the demand for sheep. We also haven’t been able to expand the herds due to a lack of grazing areas.” Trader Magar mentioned that he got them a bit cheaper because he came to the farm to buy them, but he also noted that in the Jomsom market area, farmers themselves are selling to traders for up to NPR 35,000.
Scale of Export for Dashain
Generally, a sheep becomes suitable for sale two to three years after birth. Targeting Dashain, the Mustang Veterinary Hospital and Animal Science Centre has estimated that over 12,000 sheep will be exported from Mustang alone this year. It is estimated that more than 5,000 will also come in from Jumla and Dolpa. With the Korala border point open commercially, traders can import Tibetan sheep from this area at the last minute.
According to the Prime Minister’s Agriculture Modernization Project, Project Implementation Unit office, there are 56,000 sheep in the herds of 100 registered farmers across the district. However, both registered and unregistered farmers export sheep for meat purposes, said Dr. Lalmani Aryal, Chief of the Veterinary Hospital and Animal Science Centre, Mustang.
Chief Aryal said, “The gathering of farmers and traders has begun. Farmers get to sell to traders at the price they desire. We only send them to another district after conducting a health examination.” Observing the buying and selling between farmers and traders in Mustang, it is estimated that the price of a premium *Rojja Chyangra* could reach up to NPR 40,000 by the time it gets to the end consumer.
Reason for Premium Prices and Concern
The price of sheep purchased by traders in the market seems likely to skyrocket further if not controlled by intervention. People buy premium *Rojja Chyangra* believing that sheep reared in the high Himalayas, who are said to graze on special herbs, are not only delicious but also beneficial for health.
