Provincial governments in Nepal are scaling an innovative CGIAR-developed business model for livestock service delivery

In Nepal, the productivity of dairy animals has remained low and its potential for livelihood improvements unfulfilled. Lack of sufficient access to knowledge, inputs and services contributed to the low adoption of improved technologies and practices. The traditional extension system, never very strong on livestock production, has been receiving ever less funding. Wherever private animal health workers are available, their training and practice focuses mostly on treatment of acute health issues, limiting the potential for productivity increases and business growth. In this context, the Village Livestock Promoter (VLP) business model, co-designed with national partners, produced desirable results in pilot villages. Here we report policymakers from three provinces mainstreaming the VLP model by supporting links to farmer organizations, intensive training of VLP candidates to fill the extension gap existing in the country. and providing them with start-up capital grants to establish livestock service hubs as micro-enterprises. Next steps in mainstreaming will include targeting more women VLP candidates and anchoring the VLP candidates within a wide range of organizations, such as dairy or agricultural cooperatives, with agro-vet shops, with government organizations or as independent livestock service centers.