At a glance
Agriculture is one of the most important sectors in Nepal, contributing nearly a quarter of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) and employing about 60 percent of the workforce. The livestock sector alone comprises 7 percent of the GDP and a quarter of the agricultural GDP. Endemic transboundary animal diseases (TADs) such as such as foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) and peste des petits ruminants (PPR), lumpy skin disease and African swine fever cause significant economic losses to the livestock farmers and national economy. Zoonotic threats such as avian influenza and global health issues such as antimicrobial resistance (AMR) further challenge the livestock sector.
Since the first highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 outbreak in 2009, Nepal has recorded over 400 outbreaks, resulting in the culling of nearly three million birds and one human fatality in 2019. Endemic zoonotic diseases such as rabies, tuberculosis, brucellosis and leptospirosis also pose ongoing health risk to humans and animals.
To address these challenges, the Government of Nepal prioritized 10 zoonotic diseases in 2021 through a One Health approach and endorsed the One Health strategy in 2019 and the National Action Plan on AMR in 2024. The transition to a federal governance system has brought both opportunities and challenges in tackling TADs and zoonotic diseases, emphasizing the need for enhanced intergovernmental collaboration for better disease detection and response.
Current intervention
FAO is currently implementing two major projects to address these challenges. The first project, funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)’s Global Health Security Program, focuses on strengthening animal health systems, One Health coordination and promoting evidence-based practices to mitigate disease risks, focusing on prioritized zoonotic diseases and AMR.
The second project, supported by the World Bank’s Pandemic Fund, aims to enhance Nepal's pandemic preparedness by strengthening the national laboratory system, improving surveillance and early warning systems, and enhancing capacities of human resources for timely detection of endemic, emerging and re-emerging pathogens, including those with pandemic potential.
Highlights
No fear when vets are near
FAO ECTAD plans and delivers veterinary assistance in response to animal health crises. Through ECTAD, FAO builds countries’ capacities to prevent, detect and respond to zoonotic and non-zoonotic disease outbreaks at the source. This story showcases how epidemiology and emergency response safeguard farmers and their animals from diseases.
Animal birth control training for rabies elimination
With support from USAID, FAO conducted a three-day hands-on training on animal birth control for veterinarians from 10 to 12 April 2024, in Bharatpur, Chitwan. The training aimed to equip practicing veterinarians with hands-on skills in animal birth control and vaccinating community and stray dogs against rabies.
Video: Be a Champion Farmer!- Biosecurity is key to stop African Swine Fever
While the world’s attention has focused on a human pandemic, African swine fever (ASF) is still threatening our livelihood. To help improve biosecurity measures in the farm, FAO ECTAD has developed a simple, yet informative animation on ASF to inspire smallholders to “Be a Champion Farmer!”
Results snapshots from 2014 to 2023
Engaged participants in multisectoral meetings
Trained beneficiaries
Samples tested for avian influenza
Capacity building trainings conducted
School students sensitized on Rabies prevention
Publications, reports and manuscripts published
More results
- Supported avian influenza bio-surveillance programme
- Supplied equipment, laboratory reagents and PPEs to the Department of Livestock Services
- Supported the Central Veterinary Laboratory in developing a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS)
- Conducted FAO ATLASS assessments in all sub-national veterinary laboratories
- Assessed epidemiological and laboratory capacity using FAO tools
- Supplied equipment, reagents and PPEs to laboratories to the government
Sustainable Development Goals contributions
Key facts
- Agriculture contributes a quarter of the gross GDP.
- Livestock constitutes 7% of the gross GDP.
- Three new livestock diseases confirmed since 2020: lumpy skin disease, African swine fever and glanders.
- FAO ECTAD, supported by USAID, has collaborated with the Government of Nepal since 2005.
- FAO ECTAD has helped mobilize resources for various FAO animal health projects.
Our partners
- Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development in Nepal, Department of Livestock Services
- Central Veterinary Laboratory
- Provincial Ministries and Directorates related to livestock
- One Health Partners
- USAID
- World Bank