Lalitpur - A National Workshop on Sustainable Dairy Sector Development in Nepal was successfully conducted on July 15, 2025, in Lalitpur, jointly organized by the Department of Livestock Services (DLS) and ADRA Nepal. The workshop aimed to build a shared vision for a sustainable and resilient dairy sector in Nepal, bringing together key stakeholders, experts, and institutions engaged in dairy production, processing, research, and policy formulation. The event was chaired by Dr. Ram Nandan Tiwari, Director General of DLS, while Dr. Deepak Kumar Kharal, Honorable Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development (MoALD), participated as the chief guest. The workshop served as a significant platform to disseminate successful approaches, innovations, research outcomes, and policy-level engagement related to dairy sector development in Nepal. The three primary objectives of the workshop were: to facilitate knowledge exchange among stakeholders; to identify priority areas and strategic interventions for the development of the dairy sector; and to build a clear and actionable roadmap for sustainable dairy sector growth in the country.

The workshop saw the active participation of representatives from major national institutions, including the Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC), Agricultural and Forestry University (AFU), National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), Dairy Development Corporation (DDC), Dairy Industry Association (DIA), private sector dairy companies, dairy cooperatives, and dairy farmers. The workshop was supported under the TERAI Project, funded by Jersey Overseas Aid and ADRA UK, and implemented by ADRA Nepal in collaboration with IRDC Nepal and FORWARD Nepal. The workshop began with an inaugural session in which Dr. Kharal digitally launched the event banner, symbolizing the formal commencement of the workshop. Dr. Sulochana Shrestha, Deputy Director General of DLS, and Mr. Kabir Ratna Sthapit, Team Leader–Livelihood at ADRA Nepal, shared the objectives of the workshop and provided an overview of the achievements of the TERAI project in enhancing dairy sector performance, particularly in technology dissemination and breed improvement initiatives.

Following the inauguration, the workshop proceeded with technical paper presentations focused on four thematic areas. Dr. Ram Nandan Tiwari presented on the current status, challenges, and programs of the livestock sector in Nepal. Dr. Balak Chaudhary, Deputy Executive Director of NDDB, discussed the existing challenges and potential approaches for dairy sector development. Mr. Niranjan Shrestha, Executive Director of Sujal Dairy, representing the Dairy Industry Association, highlighted industry-level perspectives on technology, innovation, and export promotion. Dr. Neena Amatya Gorkhali, Director of the National Animal Science Research Institute under NARC, emphasized the importance of research and innovation in strengthening the dairy value chain. These comprehensive presentations laid the groundwork for subsequent breakout group discussions that delved into critical thematic areas of the sector.

The group discussions focused on three major areas: enhancing milk production and productivity through good husbandry practices (GHP); ensuring the quality of milk and milk products while strengthening value chain linkages for domestic market expansion and export promotion; and advancing research and innovation through technological interventions. Each group analyzed the current status, identified key opportunities and challenges, and drafted strategic interventions aimed at improving the respective areas. The discussions were rich in content and provided actionable recommendations that can be adopted in future dairy policies and programs.

During the closing session, Dr. Deepak Kumar Kharal commended the inclusive nature of the workshop and appreciated the active engagement of all stakeholders. He emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts, resource mobilization, and synergy among public institutions, the private sector, and development partners to achieve sustainable outcomes in the dairy sector. He also acknowledged the TERAI project’s contributions, especially in promoting improved technologies and introducing advanced breeding techniques such as Jersey sexed semen and embryo transfer, which have shown promising results in genetic improvement. Dr. Ram Nandan Tiwari expressed his gratitude to all the participating institutions and individuals for their constructive contributions, noting that the workshop had made significant strides toward outlining a strategic and sustainable roadmap for the dairy sector. He assured that DLS would work on refining and implementing the proposed interventions. Dr. Ghanshyam Kumar Bhatta, Program Director of ADRA Nepal, extended heartfelt thanks to all dignitaries, partners, and stakeholders, reiterating the importance of such collaborative platforms in shaping Nepal’s dairy sector to meet growing national and international demand. The workshop concluded with a shared commitment to continue the momentum and translate discussions into actionable strategies for the long-term development of Nepal’s dairy industry.