The Food Management and Trading Company Limited, formerly known as Khadya Sansthan, has decided not to sell goats and mountain goats this Dashain.

The condition of roads, and the environment of fear caused by Gen Z protests earlier this month have discouraged the company from selling goats and mountain goats in Dashain, officials say.

“This is probably the first time in around three decades that we are not selling goats and mountain goats in Dashain,” said Ramesh Acharya, chief executive officer of the company. “The condition of the roads is not good for the transport of animals, so we chose not to sell them during this Dashain.”

The company used to sell hundreds of goats and mountain goats during Dashain and Tihar every year at lower prices compared to private traders. Officials say that the move of the state-owned company would help check exorbitant prices of mutton during Dashain, which is a major festival of Nepalis.

Demand for mutton usually skyrockets around Dashain, as most Nepalis consume meat during the festival.

“It could take two to three days to bring animals into the Kathmandu Valley,” said Acharya. “Sometimes roads get blocked for hours due to landslides and traffic jams.”

Officials say the political environment is also not safe for them to trade goats.

Several company offices were damaged or destroyed in the protests in the second week of September.

Meanwhile, the agriculture department of the Kathmandu Metropolitan city has decided not to inspect the health of animals brought in to meet the festive demand. Officials say they also discussed the issue with Deputy Mayor Sunita Dangol, but could not reach a decision regarding the inspection of animals brought for meat.

“We see no point inspecting animals when the Food Management and Trading Company Limited has decided not to sell goats this Dashain,” said Nurnidhi Neupane, chief of the department. “We [also] know that traders bring animals for sale, but the environment is not safe to carry out an inspection.”

Private traders bring goats and buffalos from Sindhuli, Ramechhap, Okhaldhunga, Bhojpur, Khotang, Hetauda, Bara, Parsa, Rautahat, Sarlahi, Kavre, and Makawanpur. Likewise, traders also bring goats and buffalos from districts including Morang, Bara, Sunsari, Sarlahi, Rupandehi, Kapilvastu, Banke, Dang and Bardiya.

It is estimated that around 500,000 goats are consumed in Kathmandu Valley annually, with a spike in demand during Dashain.

Multiple officials at the city office and trading companies the Post talked to confessed that they are demoralised and the chances of getting help from security agencies are also low, especially in the aftermath of Gen Z protests that led to violence, arson and vandalism.