MYAGDI: Farmers in Chimkhola, Raghuganga Rural Municipality-7, Myagdi, have started commercial chauri (yak) farming. Three farmers from Chimkhola, located at the foot of the Dhaulagiri Himalayas, have jointly started yak farming for the first time in the municipality.
Local farmers Dhan Prasad Garbuja, Dhankumari Purja and Pradeep Paija have started the venture through Kalibarah Agriculture and Livestock Farm. Yak farming had not previously been undertaken in Raghuganga, which encompasses high-hill, mid-hill and mountainous areas.
“We have brought 98 chauris (yaks) from Swat in Annapurna Rural Municipality-5 of Myagdi and taken them to graze in Rikhar in the mountainous area of Kuinemangle,” said Dhan Prasad. “We started yak farming because of the availability of ample grazing land, the possibility of utilising abandoned farmland, favourable climatic conditions and the potential market.”
Farm operator Dhan Prasad said the farm aims to produce and sell yak meat and process chauri milk into chhurpi. The three partners have jointly invested Rs. 6 million in the venture. They plan to expand the herd by breeding chauris on the farm.
Dhan Prasad has been living in the village and making a living through farming and livestock rearing, including cattle and pigs. Dhankumari runs a hotel in Beni, while Pradeep is involved in the construction business. The farm has also employed one worker.
During the rainy season, the yaks are taken to the foothills of the Himalayas for grazing, while they are moved to the valleys during winter.
The Himalayan region, ranging from 2,000 to 5,000 metres above sea level, is considered suitable for yak farming. Traditionally, yaks have been reared in the Himalayan region for milk, transportation of goods and meat.
Major yak-rearing areas are found in the upper Himalayan regions of Dolpa, Humla, Mugu, Jumla, Mustang, Manang, Lamjung, Gorkha, Sindhupalchowk, Dolakha, Ramechhap, Solukhumbu, Sankhuwasabha, Taplejung, Panchthar, Okhaldhunga and Rasuwa.
Chauri farming has been practised in the Khopara area of Annapurna Rural Municipality-5 in Myagdi since the 2060s BS. According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, around 11,500 chauri farms are operating across the country.
Comment