They are a major source of cash income for poorer
Nepalese and are multipurpose animals, providing
meat, hide, hair and manure. Goat meat is accepted by
all ethnic groups. In addition, goats are used for
sacrificial purposes at religious ceremonies and are
given as gifts (pewa) to women. In the development of
the Agriculture Prospective Plan in 1995, the goat was
identified as a priority commodity and it was decided
that the meat production should be increased from
3.38% of the total meat produced in 1994/95 to 7.15%
by 2014/15 (Kuwar, Upreti and Pandey, 2001).
However, this may be difficult to achieve because of
feed shortage, mainly fodder leaves and green forage
during winter (October to May). Otherwise, the cost of
meat production from goats makes this enterprise
non-viable (Upreti and Shrestha, 2006).