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SINDHULI, NEPAL, September 21, 2024 — Agricultural ministers in Nepal joined senior officials of Heifer International for a historic “passing on the gift” ceremony in Sindhuli district to mark Heifer’s 80 years of helping smallholder farmers end hunger and poverty in their communities.
Heifer has partnered with the Nepali Government in the Milky Way Program, which aims to fully transform and modernize the country’s dairy industry while benefiting smallholder farmers. The program will significantly improve dairy productivity through the breeding of high-grade milking cows, thanks to a generous donation of 100 premier Holstein heifers and 8 Holstein bulls by the Government of Korea, which is also a partner in the program.
The ceremony took place in Kamalamai Municipality where the Milky Way partners have established a Model Dairy Village and provided Holstein heifers to 51 local farming families. At the ceremony, many of these farmers “passed on” firstborn Holstein calves to other farmers to spread the benefits of the donation. Over time, the Milky Way Program is expected to reach and improve the livelihoods of half a million Nepali smallholder farming households.
“The Milky Way Program is a shining example of international cooperation and its potential to bring about meaningful change,” said Prakash Shrestha, Honorable Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development (Bagmati Province). “We are proud to be part of this initiative that is transforming the lives of our dairy farmers.”
Heifer International CEO Surita Sandosham said, “As we celebrate 80 years of Heifer International, we are reminded of the power of community and the profound impact of passing on the gift. This event in Kamalamai is a testament to the enduring spirit of generosity and the transformative power of our work.”
Founded on July 14, 1944, by Dan West, Heifer International began with a shipment of 17 cattle from Alabama to Puerto Rico to help improve the lives of impoverished communities there. The shipment in December 2022 and January 2023 of the Korean Holsteins to Nepal was a continuation of this Heifer legacy.
The passing on the gift ceremony is intended to foster a spirit of community, solidarity and shared purpose among the farmers, fulfilling their responsibility as program participants to help others also improve their livelihoods. The practice is a key element of Heifer’s Values-Based Holistic Community Development model, which strives to foster sustainable locally-led development. The Milky Way Program is already yielding significant positive impacts for local communities, with increased milk production and improved economic conditions for participating families.
Other distinguished guests at the ceremony included: Dr. Rajendra Prasad Mishra, Secretary of Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development (Livestock Development) and Janardan Singh Chettri, Minister for Land Management, Agriculture and Cooperatives (Madhesh Province).
Heifer International began operating in Nepal in 1997, working alongside local farmers to improve food security and reduce poverty by providing technical support to strengthen agricultural value chains, promoting environmentally friendly farming, and improving access to affordable inputs and services. To date, Heifer Nepal has supported over 400,000 families, organized into 277 agricultural cooperatives — all working under the Social Entrepreneur Women Alliance, an apex governing body led by progressive women farmers.
About Heifer International
Since 1944, Heifer International has worked with more than 52 million people around the world to end hunger and poverty in a sustainable way while caring for the Earth. Heifer currently operates in 19 countries across Africa, Asia, and the Americas, including the United States, supporting farmers and food producers to strengthen local economies and build secure livelihoods that provide a living income. For more information, visit: https://www.heifer.org
Media Contact
Prabin Gurung
Knowledge Management and Communication Manager, Heifer International Nepal
prabin.gurung@heifer.org
+977-9801182928
