The importance of animals in Nepal’s rural communities
In the remote villages of the Dhading district, animals are not simply sources of income, but indispensable partners in daily life. They are the faithful companions of every working day and contribute to the vitality of families and communities. Yet, despite their importance, these precious allies are often beset with preventable diseases, inadequate shelter and their owner’s lack of knowledge about veterinary care.
This is the context in which Karuna-Shechen operates, with a mission to provide sustainable solutions tailored to the needs of rural communities. To turn these challenges into opportunities, the two rural municipalities, in partnership with Karuna-Shechen, have set up practical training courses on livestock disease prevention and better shelter management.
Dhading breeders facing daily health challenges:
Due to inadequate or insufficient shelter, animals are regularly exposed to rain and cold, increasing their vulnerability to disease, such as abscesses and infections. These illnesses are also the result of a lack of vaccination or preventive care, and a lack of access to veterinary resources, vaccinations and the knowledge of preventive care. These major issues limit the productivity of cattle, goats and buffalo.
Practical training to enhance breeders’ autonomy
With a view to providing practical solutions for improving animal health and housing conditions, a four-day training course was held. It brought together over 90 farmers, veterinary technicians and members of the local community.
Identifying and treating diseases
A key focus of the training was the identification and management of the most common diseases, to equip farmers with the knowledge and the tools they need to better protect their herds.
- Practical training helped farmers recognize the common diseases affecting their herds.
- Demonstrations showed simple treatments, such as deworming. Essential medicines, including dewormers (for internal parasites) and acaricides (for mites), were also distributed.
- An animal health camp treated over 50 animals, including goats, buffalo, yaks and horses, providing essential veterinary care.
As a result, farmers have become more self-reliant. They are now able to manage common animal health problems themselves, reducing dependence on external care and improving their economic self-sufficiency.
“My name is So Bahadur Tamang and I run a small grocery store and guesthouse. I raised 11 goats on my farm. My goats began chewing plastics and ropes instead of their feed a few months ago making them very skinny and unwell. While I was feeling helpless, I came to know about the program being organized about Livestock Disease Identification in Sertung, where vets would help identify the disease and recommend the medications. I attended the program and vets recommended feeding mineral blocks which would help my goats get the nutrients and stop chewing plastics.”
Nabina [Vet technician at Karuna-Shechen] taught me how to use the blocks by myself and it helped keep my goats healthy
So Bahadur Tamang, goat farmer
Discover the full portrait of Nabina Tamang
Key figures
3 days of veterinary care training in 4 villages
1,800 doses of medication distributed to 1,500 goats and 300 cattle
Over 90 farmers trained in Ruby Valley and Khaniyabas on shelter management and disease prevention
Shelter management: a priority for animal welfare:
Alongside veterinary care, the provision of adequate shelter plays a crucial role in disease prevention. Clean, protected spaces contribute directly to animal health and longevity, by reducing the risk of contamination.
Given the frequent seasonal migrations of farmers, the construction of animal shelters must be simple and effective. The training course therefore focused on the practical side, with demonstrations of how to build low-cost structures adapted to local needs. This improved animal comfort and hygiene, and reduced the risk of cross-contamination.
In addition to demonstrating preventive practices for the well-being of their livestock, farmers from villages in the Dhading district took part in discussions on good animal husbandry practices, feeding techniques, shelter cleanliness and disease prevention. These are essential for personal and collective growth, as they encourage learning, collaboration and continuous improvement.
Cultivating confidence to overcome resistance
Despite the farmers’ enthusiasm, certain challenges remain. The villages of Dhading are difficult to access, which complicates the implementation of the project. What’s more, some farmers remain reluctant to take part in the training courses, due to deeply-rooted traditional beliefs.
Karuna-Shechen is committed to building trust and confidence, through the demonstration of practices adapted to local needs. In the end, the participatory approach of the training courses has enabled us to overcome this opposition.
The next steps towards sustainable change
Karuna-Shechen’s commitment doesn’t stop with the initial training sessions: regular follow-up sessions, vaccination campaigns and initiatives to reinforce sustainable farming practices will ensure that the results are long-lasting.
Our aim is not only to achieve sustainable improvements in livelihoods and animal health in Dhading, but also to continue strengthening the bond of trust with rural communities.
