Manang farmers get yak breeder from Solukhumbu

By Yadu Prasad Bhatta,Manang, Jan. 6: Nine yaks, brought from Solukhumbu to improve the yak breed in Gandaki Province, reached Manang on Wednesday evening. The purebred yaks, raised at the Yak Genetic Resource Centre in Syangboche, were distributed to the farmers in Manang amid a programme on Thursday.

Suresh Thakali, the Chairman of the Manang Yak Chauri Breeding and Conservation Organisation, said that the yaks were distributed in three rural municipalities of Manang in the presence of lawmaker Munindra Jung Gurung. He mentioned that a yak was distributed to the Pisang group in Ngisyang Rural Municipality, and another yak was provided to three sheds in Bhraka.

Three yaks, one for each of the three groups in Nason Rural Municipality, have been distributed. Likewise, in Chame Rural Municipality one yak is allocated for a group of three sheds. The remaining two yaks are kept at the Manang Yakchaunri Breeding and Conservation Organisation,” said Thakali.

Two Yaks were allocated to each rural municipality, but due to the lack of coordination, the Yaks are not yet distributed in Narphu Rural Municipality, informed Thakali. He also said that the farmers have to contribute 25 per cent of the investment. He added that all the yaks are insured and cannot be slaughtered or sold by the farmers.

Narendra Rai, the Chief of the Animal Services and Veterinary Office in Manang, said that the yaks were distributed to the farmers across the district under the leadership of the Manang Yakchaunri Organisation.

The yaks, all males brought by the Directorate of Livestock and Fisheries Development of Gandaki Province, were delivered by a team, including Bal Kumar Shrestha. The directorate informed that the government priced these yaks at 20,000 to 25,000 each.