Simthali Goat Farm, which was established three years ago in Hetauda with an initial investment of Rs15 million, is doing wonders currently with annual revenue of Rs6 million. Govinda Subedi started the goat farm three years ago by rearing stag of boer breed imported from India and few does of local breed. At present, the farm is not only rearing goats for meat production, but is also supplying improved breed of goats to farmers all over the country. 

Currently, the farm is home to 10 boer stags which include two imported from South Africa and one from India. Four out of 10 stags are kept at the farm and the rest are sent to goat farms all over the country for breeding. Subedi then purchases back the kids produced by stags at other farms and prepares them for further breeding, before selling them to farmers looking forward to rearing goats.

Last fiscal year alone, Subedi sold 500 improved species of goats worth Rs6 million to farmers of various districts. “The aim behind establishing the goat farm was to supply improved species of goats as traditional farming with local species was not producing high returns to farmers,” said Subedi. “I have been successful so far and my farm is recognised as a hub to supply improved species of goats.” 

Boer goats are widely raised for their meat and originally came from South Africa. Boer goats commonly have white bodies and distinctive brown heads. Some are pintos with coloured patches on their bodies. The breed weighs 24 to 48 kg at maturity and is larger than normal goats.

The breed has many advantages: it can be used for crossbreeding, raised in the hilly regions, matures fast and weighs more than normal breeds. 

It is used for commercial meat production. 

The country’s meat production currently stands at 318,000 tonnes per year. Buffalo is the most popular meat among Nepalis followed by goat, chicken and pork. According to the Ministry of Livestock Development, buffalo meat accounts for 58 percent of the total meat production in Nepal. Mutton is the second most popular meat product after buff, which fulfils 20 percent of the country’s meat requirement. Chicken production fulfils 13 percent of the country’s meat requirement. A Nepali eats 12 kg of meat per year on average. In the developing countries, average meat consumption per person is about 14 kg per year.