草原牧民为啥负债累累？

Group 1 - The article highlights the increasing debt burden on herders in Inner Mongolia due to rising bank loans despite stable livestock numbers, leading to financial distress as beef prices decline [1][3][10] - A significant majority of herders, over 90%, are reported to be in debt, with loans escalating from initial amounts to hundreds of thousands of yuan as they attempt to expand their herds [2][3][4] - The beef industry in China has seen a dramatic shift, with consumption rising sharply since 2012, leading to increased prices and a surge in capital investment, but this has not translated into sustainable profits for herders [6][8][22] Group 2 - The cost of raising cattle has increased significantly, with feed prices rising from 1500 yuan per ton to 2000 yuan, while the average loss per head of cattle has reached over 1600 yuan [11][12][22] - Herders face challenges in selling their cattle due to competition from larger, more efficient operations and imported beef, which has captured a significant market share [19][22][24] - The market is plagued by issues such as counterfeit products and poor-quality meat being sold as authentic Mongolian beef, further complicating the sales landscape for herders [27][29][30] Group 3 - The article suggests a need for modernization in the livestock industry, advocating for a shift from traditional grazing to more standardized and cooperative farming practices to improve resilience against market fluctuations [30][32] - There are ongoing efforts from both the government and private sectors to address market chaos and support herders, including initiatives to create direct sales channels and enhance product quality [32][33]