Farmers are increasingly attracted to Saanen goats (with photos)
BANDIPUR: MARCH. 18 – The best breed of goat ‘Saanen’ for cheese and milk is in high demand. According to the National Goat Research Center in Bandipur, rather than other milk-producing species, Saanen goats are wanted by farmers.
Despite being an imported species, farmers are now attracted to Saanen as it grows easily in the Nepali climates and offers many benefits.
Raju Kandel, head of the National Goat Research Center in Bandipur, says, “Other breeds of goats produce milk and cheese, but market demand has not been met due to an increase in sales, particularly of Sanen breed goats. According to him, the demand for this product is high in tourist areas including Pokhara and Bandipur.
The importance of goat cheese is especially understood by foreigners. In Nepal, the importance of goat’s milk and cheese is rising. Foreigners enjoy eating cheese with wine. ‘Goat cheese is their first choice in this as well.’ ‘For the last three years, foreign and domestic tourists have been demanding this,’ says Kandel.
Because of their low fat and high protein, goat’s milk and cheese are high in demand in Europe and America than cow’s and buffalo’s.
At present, the center has set the price of goat milk at Rs 50 per liter and the price of promotion cheese at Rs 800, he said, adding, “We are in the early stages.” Promotion of goat milk and cheese is required. Marketing can be done not only locally, but also globally. For this, instead of Rs 3,000, Rs 800 has been reduced. ‘
He estimates that goat cheese costs Rs 3,000 for hard and Rs 2,000 for soft in the Nepali market.
At present, there are 59 Saanen goats in the research center. Besides, there are 761 goats and he-goats of different species including Khari, Sinhal, Jamunapari, Boer and Barbari.
Although the center does not currently sell mother goats of the Saanen breed, it does sell lambs. Within three to five months of weaning, the lamps are sold at a rate of Rs. 1700 per kg. A goat costs around 35 thousand rupees based on its weight.
