The goat paradox: Why Nepal’s most common livestock remains the least profitable

Sitamaya Tamang from Rasuwa remembers the pride she felt when her goat gave birth to twins, until both kids died of diarrhea within a week. She had no vet nearby, no medicines, and no idea what went wrong. For her, like thousands of rural women across Nepal, goat farming is a way of life and a lifeline.

Yet, despite its prevalence, this practice has rarely translated into stable income, scalable production, or sustainable livelihoods.