Project Period: January 2024- June 2025
Despite a goat population exceeding 12 million, Nepal has only recently achieved self-sufficiency in goat meat production. With rising demand, efficient production and marketing systems are crucial. Recognizing the scarcity of high-quality breeding goats, Heifer Project International (HPI) launched the Community Initiated Genetic Improvement Program in Goat (CIGIG) in 2014 to produce genetically superior goats along with Department of Livestock Services (DLS), Kathmandu University School of Management (KUSOM), and Rural Economic Development Association (REDA). However, the project has struggled to establish a profitable business model.
To address this, HPI aims to create a technical database of high-quality breeds and develop viable business models, incorporating QR codes and digital tracking to highlight goat quality. This will inform buyers and help establish breeding goat centers that sell certified goats at premium prices, ensuring sustainable profitability for the community. The project will also collaborate with the public and private sectors to influence policy and strengthen the value chain.
