The Enhanced Rural AI (TERAI) project for Smallholder Dairy Farmers in Nepal

Type: 

Thematic Area: 

Duration: 

Monday, August 1, 2022 to Friday, July 31, 2026

Funding: 

Partners: 

Direct HH Coverage: 

3600

Project Location: 

Sainamaina Municipality and Kanchan Rural Municipality (Rupandehi district), And, Banganga and Buddhabhumi Municipalities (Kapilvastu district)

Target Group: 

Women, indigenous groups, dalit and people with disability (PWD)

Budget: 

Reduced poverty and improved livelihoods of smallholder farmers through increased income and resilience

Objective: 

1. Smallholder dairy farmers organizations developed, and group management skills strengthened
2. Enhanced skills and knowledge of farmers on improved and climate adaptive dairy cow and buffalo husbandry (nutrition, animal health care, housing management)
3. Enhanced access of farmers to dairy cattle and buffalo breed improvement
4. Enhanced capacity of farmers on quality milk production, handling (milk handling, storage, and transport) supply in a healthy milk supply chain
5. Enhanced human resources (lead farmers, AI technicians, para-vets and animal health workers) capacity for extension service delivery
6. Enhanced capacity of cooperative and private enterprises to function as input supply, milk collection, processing, and output marketing centers
7. Enhanced farmer knowledge and skills in input and output market linking and management
8. Enhanced collaboration with Nepal Government entities, viz. Department of Livestock Services, NLBO (National Livestock Breeding Office), and LGs (local governments) on genetics and breed improvement programmes
9. Improved collaboration with National Cattle Research Programme (NCRP) of Nepal Agriculture Research Council (NARC) and AFU (Agriculture and Forestry University) for nutrition and fertility management at farmer level
10. Introduction and piloting of a Dairy Livestock Management Information System (MIS) software platform

Major Activities: 

1. Organizational development and capacity building of farmers groups
2. Skill enhancement of farmers on improved dairy cow and buffalo husbandry using the Farmer Field School (FFS) approach
3. Support for private farms to develop as model farms for the demonstration of improved technologies and practices in animal husbandry
4. Training and support to farmers on group management, animal health, AI, safe and hygienic milk collection, storage and processing
5. Provide training and support to youth and women, VAHW, paravet and AI technician, and government staffs
6. Identification, development and mobilization of lead farmers for farmer-to-farmer (FtF) extension services
7. Dairy market assessment and cost of production analysis
8. Training to existing/new cooperatives on cooperative and business management
9. Support cooperatives and private firms on proper management of milk collection, processing, and input supply

District: