Is sustainable livestock production feasible in Nepal?

Nepal, a small country in South Asia, contains a wide range of climate and ecological zones over its altitudinal range of 8800 meters and is one of the world’s most biologically diverse countries. Production systems include mixed crop-livestock activities as well as pure pastoralism in the higher altitudes. Farmers make little use of chemical inputs (mineral fertilizer and pesticides) and rely mainly on farmyard manure and compost to aid soil productivity. Traditional agriculture and livestock production systems are sustainable and organic by default, balancing environmental quality, agricultural productivity, and human and animal health. National agricultural policies support sustainability and align with the Sustainable Development Goals. To further promote sustainable animal farming, strategies should focus on enhancing production efficiency, converting crop byproducts into animal feed, using bypass nutrients and stable rumen fats, improving animal health and welfare, reducing emissions with nature-based solutions, and producing low-carbon meat through silvo-pastoral and agroforestry systems.