Goats, Growth and Dreams
Figure Chandra with her improved goat shed.
Chandra Gaha Magar-35, from Barahatal Rural Municipality–5, Surkhet, managed household responsibilities, raising 8-10 goats to supplement her husband’s modest income from local masonry work. The income was barely sufficient to support the education of their two children. With limited technical knowledge and poor facilities, goat farming remained just as a small household activity.
A turning point came when Chandra participated in a 60-day vocational goat farming training organized by Janajyoti Secondary School, Barahatal -5, Baddichaur, Surkhet with support from the Skill Up! Project. The training equipped her with practical knowledge on animal nutrition, disease prevention and control, breeding management, farm hygiene, and improved goat-rearing practices. A seven-day exposure visit to a commercial goat farm in Salyan further enhanced skill and confidence, demonstrating the potential of goat farming as a profitable business.
After returning home, Chandra applied her learning and experiences into practice. Chandra improved her goat shed using project-supported materials such as roofing sheets, wire mesh, and feeding troughs. She also adopted improved feeding, hygiene, and management practices. As a result, her herd expanded from 8–10 goats to 27 goats, including seven castrated males ready for the market. Recently, she sold three goats weighing 140 kg in total and earned NPR Figure 3 Chandra’s poultry setup, with dedicated feeders and wire-mesh enclosures 92,400.This income has provided meaningful support to her household and strengthened her confidence in goat farming as a viable enterprise.
Building on her success, Chandra has also started poultry farming and a kitchen garden to diversify her income and improve family nutrition. Her growing income is helping reduce financial pressure and support the education of her son in Grade 12 and daughter in Grade 10.
“Before participating in the training, I raised goats using traditional practices and earned very little income. The skills and knowledge I gained helped me improve my farm and see goat farming as a real business opportunity,” says Chandra.
Chandra’s journey demonstrates how practical skills, training, and targeted support can help rural women transform traditional farming into viable enterprises. From managing household responsibilities and raising a few goats, she has grown into a confident and aspiring agri-entrepreneur, inspiring other women in her community.
“My goal is to expand my herd to 50 goats and develop a model commercial farm. I also want to expand my poultry and vegetable production to create a more secure future for my family,” she adds.
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