Livestock's contribution in Agricultural GDP drops to 23pc

KATHMANDU, Jan 10: Despite huge prospects, contribution of livestock sector in Agricultural Gross Domestic Product (AGDP) has shrunk to 23 percent from 31 percent over the last 13 years, a latest report of Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives (MoAC) said.



Interestingly, the sector has spiralled downward even as the country´s Agriculture Prospective Plan (APP) adopted 13 years ago envisaged increasing livestock sector´s share in AGDP to 45 percent by 2015. Officials at the MoAC attributed this huge mismatch between target and reality to slowed commercialization of the sector compared to other sectors.[break]



“The sector can grow rapidly and its relevance has grown further given the sharp growth in the consumption of dairy and meat products in the country. Sadly, however, we failed to adopt appropriate measures to realize its growth,” said Dr Hari Dahal, MoAC spokesperson.



The ministry´s data show that livestock sector lagged far behind, whereas high-value products, cereal products, vegetables, fruits productions among others underwent impressive commercialization over the past one decade.



“If we compare the latest output with plan, we are set to meet APP target on cereal productions. High-value products, poultry and horticulture too have grown satisfactorily, increasing their contributions to AGDP. However, we are far below then expectation on livestock sector,” added Dahal.



The ministry´s data show that production of milk in Nepal increased to around 1.55 million tons in fiscal year 2010/11, with production of cow milk and buffalo milk touching 447,185 tons and 1.10 million tons respectively. Milk production was 1.49 million tons -- contribution of cow milk and buffalo milk standing at 4.29 million tons and 1.06 million tons respectively -- in 2009/10.



Contribution of dairy sector to AGDP stands at 12.36 percent whereas meat sector´s share hovered around 10 percent in 2010/11.



Production of total meat from buffalo, sheep, goat, pig, chicken and duck combined reached to 277,625 tons with the buffalo being the largest contributor during the review year. Total meat production during the earlier fiscal year was 248,573 tons.



Dahal said livestock sector´s contribution appears satisfactory amid decreasing credit facility for farmers, shrinking pasture land, nominal number of farmers involved in dairy and animal farming.

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