LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Jan. 20, 2012) – Heifer International, the global hunger nonprofit, is launching a new $23.8 million project in Nepal, with the goal of assisting 138,000 small-scale farmers. The project will focus on goat and dairy production, and on reducing Nepal’s reliance on imports for its protein needs.
This project will work in 28 districts to build up goat and dairy enterprises over the course of five years. Demand for these products is high in Nepal, but the country depends on imports to satisfy the need. By strengthening local production, Heifer hopes to reduce the number of goats being imported into Nepal by about 30 percent by the year 2016, and reduce milk imports by 10 percent.
With this endeavor, Heifer International will expand its work helping thousands of Nepalese people move from vulnerability to self-reliance. The project aims to increase meat and milk productivity in the target areas through improved animal management techniques, and then help participants form trade alliances. By forming community groups and cooperatives, farmers can better connect with buyers.
The Nepal project will employ Heifer’s unique holistic training system to empower its participants for the long term. In addition to learning how to properly care for their animals, participants will be educated in areas like money management, gender equality, literacy, community collaboration and entrepreneurship. With this foundation in place, small-scale farmers can not only feed their own families, but also work together to find larger markets for more dairy products.
Heifer International has worked in Nepal since 1977 to reduce poverty and build sustainable family enterprises with animals like sheep, goats, ducks and water buffalo. Now Heifer is confident that in areas of Nepal with dire poverty, its new goat and dairy project can create transformative and lasting change.About Heifer International Heifer's mission is to end hunger and poverty while caring for the Earth. Since 1944, Heifer International has provided livestock and environmentally sound agricultural training to improve the lives of those who struggle daily for reliable sources of food and income. Heifer is currently working in 50 countries, including the United States, to help families and communities become more self-reliant. For more information, visit www.heifer.org or call (800) 696-1918.
