Farmer Struggles with Goat Farming Amidst Rising Costs and Market Instability

Kathmandu. The grassy and green hills and slopes of Pharping spend their days with herds of goats every day. Khari Dai has been a goat herder for the last 10 years, and his every day starts with this herd. Commercial goat farming, which he started a decade ago with great hope, has now become synonymous with struggle for him. He used to raise about a hundred goats, but now he raises about two dozen goats.

"It is now difficult to even cover the costs. The only benefit I get from raising them is the goat manure, nothing else. I did everything with my own investment. It has become very difficult now," he says.