Nepal Dairy Development Board (NDDB)

FAO Nepal

In 1990, the Government of Nepal (GoN) approved the “Ten Year Dairy Development Plan (1991-2000)” as a blueprint for dairy development in the country. Based on the recommendation of the Plan, the GoN established NDDB in 1992 under a separate Act. The Board is an apex level autonomous institution of dairy development in Nepal. The major objectives of the Board are to: • assist GoN in formulating national level dairy development policies and plans, • develop dairy industries, • find remedies to problems relating to livestock development and animal health sector for dairy development, • maintain coordination among the public and private dairies, • carry out dairy development related high level studies and research works, and • make arrangements for fodder and pasture resources.

NDDB has an executive committee (EC) composed of 14 members, which is Chaired by Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives (MoAC). An Executive Director (ED) whose serving period as specified by the Act is 4 years heads its Secretariat. The Minister through Cabinet approval appoints the ED. The Secretary of MoAC is the Vice- Chairperson and the ED is the member-secretary. The members include representative of farmers (4), private dairy entrepreneurs (3), General Manager of the Dairy Development Corporation (1), Representative of Federation of the Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industries (1), Director General of Department of Livestock Services (1), and Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Finance (1).