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National & Provincial Livestock Breeding Policies & Programmes of Nepal

DAWA TSHIRING TAMANG

ASST. PROFESSOR

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Department of Animal Breeding and Biotechnology

Faculty of Animal Science, Veterinary Science and Fisheries

Agriculture and Forestry University (AFU)

Rampur, Chitwan

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Strategies for �Sustainable Genetic Improvement

Learning Objectives

  • Understand Nepal’s national livestock breeding policies.
  • Explore provincial-level breeding programmes.
  • Analyze implementation challenges and success stories.
  • Discuss the role of genomics and community participation.

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Agriculture and Forestry University, Rampur, Chitwan

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Importance of Livestock in Nepal

  • Contributes 27% to Agricultural GDP.
  • 4.7 million households depend on livestock (MOALD 2023).
  • Key species: Buffalo, cattle, goats, poultry, fish.

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Agriculture and Forestry University, Rampur, Chitwan

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Need for Breeding Policies

  • Low productivity: E.g., Buffalo milk yield (2.5L/day vs. 8L in India).
  • Climate vulnerability: Heat stress in Terai, fodder scarcity in hills.
  • Genetic erosion: Crossbreeding threatens indigenous breeds (e.g., Siri cattle).

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Agriculture and Forestry University, Rampur, Chitwan

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National Livestock Breeding Policy (2021)

Goals:

  • Conserve indigenous breeds (Pahadi cattle, Khari goats).
  • Promote strategic crossbreeding.
  • Strengthen AI and genomics.

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Agriculture and Forestry University, Rampur, Chitwan

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Key Components of National Policy

  • Breed registration: National database for elite sires.
  • Community-Based Breeding Programmes (CBBPs): E.g., Jumla goats.
  • Climate-resilient breeding: Heat-tolerant buffaloes in Terai.

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Agriculture and Forestry University, Rampur, Chitwan

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Implementation Agencies

  • NARC (National Animal Science Research Institute).
  • NLBO (National Livestock Breeding Office).
  • Provincial Livestock Directorates.
  • Slide 8: Federal Structure & Breeding Programmes

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Federal Structure & Breeding Programmes

7 Provinces → Customized Approaches:

  • Province 1: Pig and poultry improvement.
  • Bagmati: Dairy cattle (Jersey × Pahadi).
  • Lumbini: Buffalo (Murrah × Local).
  • Karnali: Jumla Goat CBBP

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Provincial Case Study – Lumbini

  • Programme: Murrah Buffalo Genetic Improvement.
  • AI coverage: 60% of buffaloes (2023).
  • Result: Milk yield ↑ from 3.5L to 5L/day.

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Agriculture and Forestry University, Rampur, Chitwan

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Provincial Case Study – Karnali

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  • Programme: Jumla Goat CBBP.
  • Traits selected: Growth rate, disease resistance.
  • Outcome: Kid mortality ↓ from 30% to 10%.

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Agriculture and Forestry University, Rampur, Chitwan

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Artificial Insemination (AI) Initiatives

  • National AI Network: 1,200 technicians trained.
  • Challenges:
    • 50% conception failure (poor semen storage).
    • Limited reach in remote areas (e.g., Humla).

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Agriculture and Forestry University, Rampur, Chitwan

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Genomics in Policy

  • National Genotyping Lab (Planned): For GS and GWAS.
  • Example: DGAT1 gene testing in Murrah buffaloes.

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Agriculture and Forestry University, Rampur, Chitwan

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Success Story – Lulu Cattle

  • Policy Support: NARC’s breeding programme.
  • Traits: 3-4L milk/day, cold-hardy (adopted in Rukum).

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Agriculture and Forestry University, Rampur, Chitwan

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Indigenous Poultry Programmes

  • Sakini Chicken Conservation: MHC-B21 gene for disease resistance.
  • Village hatcheries: Women-led cooperatives in Kavre.

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Agriculture and Forestry University, Rampur, Chitwan

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Fish Breeding Policies

  • Carp selective breeding: NARC’s improved Rohu (20% faster growth).
  • Tilapia restrictions: Banned in Terai rivers (ecological risk).

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Climate Adaptation in Policies

  • Heat-tolerant breeds: GWAS on Terai buffaloes.
  • Fodder policies: Drought-resistant Napier grass promotion.

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Agriculture and Forestry University, Rampur, Chitwan

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Challenges in Policy Implementation

  • Federal-provincial coordination gaps.
  • Limited budgets (5% of agri-allocations).
  • Farmer awareness gaps.

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Agriculture and Forestry University, Rampur, Chitwan

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Equity Issues

  • Gender disparity: 80% poultry managed by women, but 90% AI technicians male.
  • Landless farmers: Cannot afford crossbreds (↑ feed costs).

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Agriculture and Forestry University, Rampur, Chitwan

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Role of Cooperatives

  • Chitwan Buffalo Co-op: Bulk semen procurement.
  • Kavre Egg Producers: Market linkages.

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Agriculture and Forestry University, Rampur, Chitwan

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Future Directions

  • Genomic databases for local breeds.
  • Climate-smart breeding funds.
  • Policy harmonization across provinces.

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Summary

  • Policies aim to balance productivity and conservation.
  • Provincial customization is critical.
  • Participatory approaches (CBBPs) work best.

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THANK YOU …!!!

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