The future of Nepal's dairy industry received a much-needed boost today as experts, farmers, and government officials gathered at Hotel View Bhrikuti in Godawari for the National Workshop on Sustainable Dairy Sector Development. Co-organized by the Department of Livestock Services (DLS) and Adventist Development and Relief Agency Nepal (ADRA Nepal), the event on July 15, 2025, wasn’t just about milk; it was about building a thriving, modern dairy sector for Nepal.

The workshop began with several paper presentations. Kabir Ratna Sthaptit, Team Lead at ADRA Nepal, presented The Enhanced Rural AI (TERAI) Project, highlighting achievements in genetic improvement, particularly stabilizing Jersey breeds through innovative approaches such as cattle in vitro embryo production and research on heat tolerance and tick resistance. 

Ram Nanda Tiwari, Director General of DLS, provided an overview of the current dairy sector, outlining challenges such as fluctuating production, disease control, and the need for livestock insurance. Balak Chaudhary from the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) discussed market dynamics, emphasizing the transition from informal to formal milk marketing and the importance of expanding exports.

Niranjan Shrestha, Executive Director of Sujal Dairy Private Limited, addressed rising consumer demand and quality challenges, while Dr. Neena Amatya Gorkhali, Director of the Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC), highlighted long-term genetic improvement programs such as the Dairy Cattle Improvement Program (DCIP).

Before lunch, Deepak Kumar Kharal, Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development (MoALD), delivered closing remarks for the morning session, urging collaborative efforts to upgrade Nepal’s dairy sector, enhance production practices, and expand market access. He also called on the private sector to work closely with the Ministry to drive innovation and growth.

In the afternoon, the workshop featured thematic group discussions focused on three key areas. The first theme addressed priority areas and strategic interventions to improve milk production, productivity, and the adoption of Good Husbandry Practices (GHP). 

The second theme concentrated on ensuring quality milk and milk products while enhancing value chain linkages to expand domestic markets and promote exports, highlighting the need for Nepal to align with international standards such as China’s General Administration of Customs (GACC). 

The third theme focused on breed management and genetic improvement through interventions such as breed identification, conservation of indigenous breeds, nucleus herd establishment, and the promotion of advanced reproductive technologies, including artificial insemination with superior germplasm and the production of sexed semen.

The workshop concluded with presentations summarizing key findings and proposed interventions, followed by closing remarks from representatives of ADRA Nepal, NDDB, MoALD, and DLS. The event marked a significant step toward building a sustainable roadmap for Nepal’s dairy sector development, fostering knowledge exchange among government officials, experts, farmers, and development partners.