The Food Management and Trading Company (FMTC) has initiated preparations to purchase 1,347 goats and 148 mountain goats for the upcoming Dashain festival. The initiative, worth about Rs 47.7 million, aims to regulate market prices and curb black-marketing during the festive season. Of the total budget, Rs 30 million has been allocated for goats and Rs 17.7 million for mountain goats.
Starting a month before Dashain, FMTC collects goats and mountain goats from various districts and sells them through its outlets in Thapathali and other locations in Kathmandu. According to CEO Ramesh Acharya, this year’s plan also includes online sales, making it easier for customers to purchase goats and enabling the company to adjust supply if demand increases.
However, this year’s procurement volume is lower than in previous years. In 2023, FMTC had planned to purchase 1,800 goats and 300 mountain goats, though it ultimately secured 1,400 goats and 300 mountain goats for sale through its Thapathali provincial office. Prices last year were set with a Rs 10 discount, with goats sold at Rs 660 per kilo and mountain goats at Rs 1,220 per kilo.
