Transformative collaboration for sustainable livestock development: Historic MoU signed between the Government of Nepal, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development and ILRI
Kathmandu, Nepal – In a historic ceremony held at the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development (MoALD), the Government of Nepal (GoN), MoALD and the CGIAR research centre, the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) inked a groundbreaking Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 31 January 2024. The event marked a pivotal moment in fostering collaborative efforts aimed at elevating the agricultural and livestock sector in Nepal.
Program highlights
The MoU signing event, held under the facilitation of Bedu Ram Bhusal, Hon Minister of MoALD on behalf of GoN; Rewati Raman Poudel, secretary of livestock at MoALD and Shirley Tarawali, assistant director general at ILRI, formalised the commitment of both parties to join forces in addressing the challenges and opportunities for livestock research and development to contribute to Nepal’s 2015 to 2035 agricultural development strategy.
Key program components included an insightful welcome, highlighting the significant partnership between GoN and ILRI. The MoU was formally signed by Poudel and Tarawali, with the gracious presence of Bhusal.
About the MoU
The MoU solidifies the commitment of MoALD, GoN and ILRI to collaborate on addressing the opportunities for livestock research and development to contribute towards improving food security, reducing poverty and navigating the impacts of climate change in Nepal.
Activities gaining momentum with this MoU include the CGIAR Sustainable Animal Productivity (SAPLING) Initiative focusing on the buffalo dairy value chain, scaling an integrated nutrition package, introduction of animal identification systems, the Africa Asia Dairy Genetic Gains project and climate-smart dairy production. The agreement is expected to provide a robust framework for taking research and development to scale, involving development agencies, private sector and public sector at all levels of government, contributing to better lives, better planet through livestock in Nepal.
A small step but a giant leap
Group photo at the MoU signing in Kathmandu, Nepal on 31 January 2024 (photo credit: MoALD).
Tarawali emphasised the importance of smallholder livestock production for proper nutrition, reducing child malnutrition and transforming the smallholder system for enhanced food production and better health. She expressed enthusiasm about the partnership with the Government of Nepal, calling the MoU a small step but a giant leap in the right direction.
Poudel highlighted the importance of this collaboration to adapt international research to address local challenges within Nepal's livestock sector. During his speech, Bhusal expressed his belief that the signed agreement between GoN, MoALD and ILRI is a crucial milestone for the development and integration of Nepal’s agriculture and livestock sectors. He expressed optimism that the collaboration will yield more fruitful, intensive and sustainable outcomes for the future.
Appolinaire Djikeng, director general of ILRI, sent his regards and assured the room of his intention to visit Nepal in the near future:
The signature of the MoU between ILRI, the CGIAR and the Government of Nepal is a historic moment. It is a testament of the momentous collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development as our principal collaborator. Our aspiration is that the evidence and research solutions we generate will not only inform policy decisions but will also be embraced by the private and other sectors for widespread scaling. Together, we aim to drive transformations in the agricultural and transformation in the livestock sector, fostering sustainable development and better lives in Nepal. We’ll further build on this collaboration for a more ambitious and longer term regional ILRI and CGIAR strategy in south Asia.
Acknowledgements
Acknowledging the significant contributions that have brought this collaboration to fruition, it is essential to recognise the efforts of Padmakumar Varijakshapanicker, ILRI country representative for Nepal, and the ILRI Nepal team. Their engagement with various government ministries, coupled with the valuable support from joint secretary, Poudel, has played a pivotal role in reaching this historic milestone, laying a solid foundation for the transformative outcomes anticipated from the newly signed MoU.