Back to news

Strengthening Farmers’ Knowledge on “Animal Nutrition and Health Care for Improving Dairy Production” in the Kangchenjunga Landscape, India

Because of the decline in crop farming due to human-wildlife conflict, commercial dairy farming has emerged as one of the viable livelihood options in Ribdi, in West Sikkim, India, one of the pilot sites of the Kangchenjunga Landscape Conservation and Development Initiative. In the 20-year strategy for the landscape, diversifying livelihood options through improved dairy farming has, through a rigorous participatory process, been prioritised as a key intervention area.

1 min Read

70% Complete
Ribdi dairy development framework

From 16-18 November 2017, around 50 dairy farmers from Ribdi-Gorkhey, India, convened in Ribdi for a three-day hands-on training and exposure visit on “Animal Nutrition and Health Care for Improving Dairy Production.” The training was organized with support from the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) by the G.B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment and Sustainable Development (GBPNIHESD), Sikkim Unit, in collaboration with The Mountain Institute (TMI) in India, Gangtok; the Diocesan Integrated society for Holistic Action (DISHA), Kalimpong; and the Department of Animal Husbandry, Livestock and Fisheries, Government of Sikkim. The training aimed to strengthen the participants’ knowledge of dairy farming and expose them to experiences of successful practices at the local level.

Over the three days, participants received training in several facets of dairy farming, including animal nutrition and feeding practices, healthcare and medication, as well as livestock management and dairy entrepreneurship. The training was conducted by experts from DISHA, TMI, and ICIMOD and comprised theoretical sessions as well as practical demonstrations and field observations in selected progressive dairy farms.

During the training, a discussion was also held on the conceptual framework for dairy development in Ribdi. This exercise broadened development perspectives about the dairy interventions in the landscape. Participants and local village leaders commended the training for boosting their confidence in sustainable dairy farming and entrepreneurship.

Stay current

Stay up to date on what’s happening around the HKH with our most recent publications and find out how you can help by subscribing to our mailing list.

Sign Up

Related content

Continue exploring this topic

27 Jul 2016 News
Bringing Nature into the National Curriculum

A half-day workshop to explore how nature camp and environmental issues could be better incorporated within the National Education System ...

20 Dec 2019 REEECH
Renewable energy solutions for enterprise development in the Hindu Kush Himalaya

The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) have ...

30 Aug 2017 News
Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council and Partners to Collaborate on Strengthening Climate Services for Drought Monitoring

The workshop brought together key partners to discuss anticipated methods, work plans, and the user engagement process for the effective ...

28 Apr 2017 Atmosphere Initiative
Collaboration Marks Improved Efforts to Combat Kathmandu Valley’s Air Pollution Challenges

Increasing air pollution in the Kathmandu valley and throughout the country has increased interest among citizens, who have become more ...

Nepal hosts second transboundary yak festival in the Kangchenjunga Landscape

Yak farming is common across the Kangchenjunga landscape – in Bhutan, India, and Nepal. However, this traditional practice has been ...

25 Jun 2018 CryoHub
Regional Dialogue on Cryosphere Monitoring

Over 50 cryosphere researchers attended the conference. Participants aimed to develop a policy framework where scientific research might help develop ...

24 May 2017 SANDEE
ICIMOD Board of Governors Approves Two Key Planning Documents at Recent Annual Meeting

The Strategy and Results Framework (SRF) reviews ICIMOD’s various initiatives and programmes and provides a holistic ...

9 Jul 2019 HIMAP
Hindu Kush Himalaya Assessment Discussed at 2019 UN High-Level Political Forum

The Permanent Mission of Nepal to the United Nations in New York and the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development ...