Goat farming helps fight rural poverty

Keshav Adhikari

Dhading, April 16:

In Dhading, most farmers have opted for goat farming as it is ensuring better profit at a relatively low investment. The decentralised local autonomous governance cooperation programme which has been going on in the district is exerting a pull on behalf of goat farming. It has launched goat farming at the professional level in eight VDCs of the district for improving their financial status. The programme got underway in Khari, Nalang, Tasarpu, Jogimara, Sangkosh, Maidi, Kalleri and Baireni VDCs in the district, the DDC local development trust committee informed. Multipurpose community organisations are being run at the community level for goat farming in the VDCs. Though most places in Dhading district have been practicing goat farming for long due to the geological nature of the area with abundant forests and pasture areas, locals reportedly are more attracted to it this time as goat farming has been moulded to match the requirements of modern times. Their lifestyles are changing after goat farming has been started at the professional level, officer at the DDC agriculture forest and environment sub-branch office, Hari Bhakta Ghimire, said.

In accordance with the wishes of rural farmers, who are affiliated in a group, goat farming has started collectively in Bhaduwar of Khari VDC, located 18 km west of Dhadingbesi, DDC advisor Laxmi Shrestha said. In this regard, 38 farmers were sent to the Lumle research centre for collective goat farming where they were given the basic information. Farmers upon return from the tour, built a cage at the cost of Rs 100,000 on a rented plot of land and the DDC provided Rs 100,000 as grant for initially buying 30 goats, feed, a weighing machine and other necessary materials, Shrestha said. Following the success of the programme, at the demand of the community, eight for Khari, 10 for Nalang, 10 for Tasarpu, nine for Jogimara, 10 for Sangkosh, altogether 100 improved variety of goats including 33 for Maidi and 20 for Kalleri, are distributed, the programme stated. For upgrading financial and social status of poor families, the district veterinary service office as well the Mohoriya Self Help Group, an NGO, and other organisations have continued providing assistance.