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Technical Coordination Committee Visits Model Dairy Village

By Rupesh Kafle

The Technical Coordination Committee kickoff meeting was organized followed by a field visit to the Model Dairy Village (MDV) in Kamalamai, Sindhuli. Formed under the chairmanship of Director General of Department of Livestock Services (DLS) with the members of central level offices from DLS, National Agriculture Research Centre (NARC) and National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), the TCC members were excited and impressed with the overall progress made in the MDV, especially the good health and impressive growth of Korean heifers, dairy sheds, and adoption of good dairy husbandry practices. The main objetcive of this committee is regularly reviewing the progress made and provide technical backstopping and support in achieving the program’s goal.

Representatives from the Self-Help Group interacted with the visitors and shared their experiences from the past year after receiving the gift of Heifers from Korea. Farmers in unison shared “We have received numerous trainings and orientations on good husbandry practices from Korean dairy experts and Heifer field team which has helped us take care of the Korean Heifers. We have been supported with milk cans, weighing machines, biogas, and fencing through Heifer Korea and KOICA, and daily consultation and visits from the heifer team”.The Mayor and Deputy mayor reiterated their continuous support for the MDV and committed to collaborate with heifer in establishment and sustainability of MDV.

The Technical coordination committee members emphasized on replication of technologies and practices from MDV to other dairy farms in the country, supply management of high genetic merit breeding animals from MDV to NLBOs, and establishment of silage plant in MDV area. Furthermore, they discussed the need of women led dairy cooperative at MDV to facilitate collection and marketing of the Milk and dairy products produced by 500 plus dairy farmers.

TCC members are now confident that MDV will be able to supply bulls with high genetic potential to the National Livestock Breeding Offices for semen production which will  cater to the demand of Improved quality dairy animals.   The Chair of Technical coordination committee, in his remarks said, “Thanks to Heifer International Nepal and Korean government, now we don’t have to worry about the availability of bulls for semen production”.