Animal Health and Husbandry Sector Overview
The Animal Health and Husbandry Sector at NEST has been instrumental in improving livestock health and fostering sustainable animal husbandry practices over the past decade. Through targeted training, consultation, and research, this sector has continuously provided valuable services to various communities, addressing local needs and contributing significantly to rural economic development.
The sector’s focus is on enhancing livestock health, promoting efficient farming techniques, and improving the livelihoods of rural communities through skill development. The programs emphasize practical knowledge, ensuring that participants can apply the skills and techniques in their own farming or service-related businesses.
Key Training Areas and Achievements
Fiscal Year 2068/69
During the fiscal year 2068/69, the Animal Health and Husbandry Sector conducted several key programs, including the Village Animal Health Worker (VAHW) Training, aimed at developing skilled personnel for basic animal health services. This 35-day training program empowers participants to serve their communities, providing vital health services to livestock and contributing to business-oriented livestock and poultry farming.
In addition to VAHW training, various animal husbandry courses were held, including pig raising, goat raising, and poultry farming. These initiatives supported rural youth, with a strong emphasis on empowering women, as 40% of participants were female.
- Total Participants: 251 rural youth (40% women)
- Training Focus Areas:
- Village Animal Health Worker (VAHW)
- Pig Raising
- Goat Raising
- Poultry Farming
Various organizations, including GIZ, CARE Nepal, and Small Farmers Development Bank, partnered with NEST to send farmers and unemployed youth for training in their project areas.
Animal Health and Husbandry Unit (AHHU) – Fiscal Year 2065/66
In fiscal year 2065/66, AHHU conducted 10 major trainings, focusing on VAHW, pig raising, goat and poultry farming, and livestock management. These trainings were offered with both full and partial scholarships.
- Total Participants: 172
- Trainee-Days Achievement: 1862 (11% of total trainee days)
- Training Focus Areas:
- VAHW
- Pig Raising
- Goat, Poultry, and Pig Raising
- Silvi-Pasture Management
- Livestock Goat Management
Animal Health and Husbandry Sector – Fiscal Year 2067/68
During fiscal year 2067/68, VAHW training was conducted twice, including refresher training. In addition to the VAHW courses, training in pig raising and goat farming was also provided.
- Total Participants: 176 (45% women)
- Training Focus Areas:
- Village Animal Health Worker (VAHW)
- Pig Raising
- Goat Raising
Animal Health and Husbandry Sector – Fiscal Year 2069/70
In 2069/70, the sector continued its commitment to rural development, offering skill development opportunities for rural youth. These trainings were conducted in collaboration with Government and other line agencies, helping to bolster the rural economy through income-generating livestock skills.
- Total Participants: 138 rural youth
- Training Focus Areas:
- Village Animal Health Worker (VAHW)
- Goat Raising
- Poultry Training
- Animal Health and Husbandry Training
Impact and Success
Over the years, the Animal Health and Husbandry Sector has trained over 2,702 individuals, including significant participation from Dalits, Indigenous Peoples, and women. The skills learned in these trainings have translated into real-world benefits, such as the establishment of veterinary medicine shops, livestock health services, and expanded small-scale farming businesses.
For example:
- Urmila Basnet from Solukhumbu launched a veterinary medicine shop after completing the VAHW training, contributing to local livestock health.
- Shiva Thapa Magar from Rural Area used his VAHW training to deliver essential livestock health services.
These real-world applications demonstrate the transformative impact of the sector’s training programs on local livelihoods and community health.
Key Trainings Conducted:
- Village Animal Health Worker (VAHW)
- Goat Farming
- Poultry Farming
- Pig Farming
- Livestock and Poultry Nutrition
- Animal Health and Husbandry Management
- Integrated Livestock and Poultry Systems
- Livestock Health and Management Skills for Rural Youth
Collaborations and Partnerships
The Animal Health and Husbandry Sector works in close collaboration with various organizations, including GIZ, CARE Nepal, Small Farmers Development Bank, World Vision, and other local and international partners. These collaborations have been instrumental in reaching underserved populations and enhancing the effectiveness of training programs.