Bimal Sapkota, a 25-year-old youth from Hadebhir in Mangala Rural Municipality–5, Myagdi, has embraced pig farming with the belief that consistent effort can lead to self-employment and self-reliance within the country.
Following an unsuccessful attempt at poultry farming, he shifted to pig and goat farming, investing an initial capital of 1.5 million rupees. He said “I had gone into loss with chickens, but rose again through pig farming.”
He currently owns 50 pigs and 20 goats. The pigs are of the Landrace breed, raised for both meat and piglets, while the goats are of the Jamunapari and Khari breeds. Sapkota shared that he sells between 6,000 to 7,000 kgs of pork each month at 600 rupees per kg and around 300 piglets annually at NRs 7,000 each.
He has also opened a meat shop at Babiyachaur in Mangala Rural Municipality–2 to further boost meat sales. In addition to Babiyachaur, he supplies pork to hotels in Mustang as well. Along with Bimal, four other family members are employed on the farm. His father Taranath Sapkota, mother Chitrakala, and wife Sukmaya assist him in the farm. “Neighbors and relatives used to comment that Brahmins must not raise pigs,” said Taranath. “Those who once advised against it are now amazed by the business.”
The farm is well-organized and clean, with separate rooms for sows, boars, and piglets. Sapkota maintains strict hygiene standards to prevent diseases and ensure the animals’ health, including the safe management of farm waste. With support from the Prime Minister Agriculture Modernization Project, his farm became the first in the district to carry out artificial insemination using high-quality semen from a pure American low-fat pig breed this past March. The project, in collaboration with the Veterinary Hospital and Livestock Service Expert Center and the Livestock Service Section of Mangala Rural Municipality, provided technical assistance for the initiative.
According to Sapkota, protecting pigs from epidemic diseases is a major challenge in pig farming. Since he has to import feed, a large portion of his income goes toward purchasing it. With increasing demand for piglets and pork, he plans to expand the farm’s capacity. “Due to family circumstances, I joined the business after completing Grade 10,” he said. “I have no plans to go abroad. I will continue my business here in Nepal. I am satisfied with pig farming.”
