More than 300 goat farms in Magwe Division will benefit from the loans.

THE government has provided loans totalling K35 million to more than 300 goat farmers at Myaing township in Magwe Division.

The director of the Animal Health and Development Division under the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, Dr Aung Gyi, said it was the first time the government had offered loans to goat farmers.

The loans, made available on January 28, were aimed at increasing the goat herd in the township, Dr Aung Gyi said.

“Myaing township was chosen because it won the most systematic farming method award given by the ministry last October to mark United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organisation Day,” he said.

Dr Aung Gyi said the award was given because the farmers vaccinate their animals regularly, feed them systematically and have properly registered their farms with the department.

He said the loans, from the Ministry’s Livestock and Fisheries Development Bank, are re-payable in 12 months at 10 per cent interest a year.

“The loans range from K100,000 to K200,000, depending on the size of the farms and the interest is to be paid every quarter,’’ said Dr Aung Gyi.

About 2200 farmers raise 70,000 goats in Myaing township.

“I hope the goat population of the township will double by the end of this year,” said Dr Aung Gyi.

Under the current regulations goats can be exported, but cattle can not be sold overseas.

Dr Aung Gyi said goat exports would not affect domestic markets because Myanmar prefers to eat chicken or pork.

Mandalay, Sagaing and Magwe divisions have about 1.6 million goats out of a national herd of more than two million.