Introduction

Government of Nepal, formerly HMG/N, established in 1982 an institute at Khumaltar, Animal Nutrition Section, with an aim to improve in the existing feeding situation in Nepal by conducting research on animal feedstuff. The Animal Nutrition Section is renamed as Animal Nutrition Division under the NARC system in the Year 1991. It is one of the 16 disciplinary Divisions of NARC and one of the 5 Divisions under National Animal Science Research Institute (NASRI). The Division has been regularly conducting research on animal feeds and feeding at the Division itself and in collaboration with other Divisions, Agricultural Research Stations (ARSs), Commodity Programs and outreach sites in farmer's field.

Objectives

The main objectives of the Division are as follows

• Determine the chemical composition of different animal feeds and forages available in various parts of country Find out the cost effective rations for ruminants as well as non ruminants for different levels of productivity
• Increase the utilization of concentrates and roughages for higher livestock production and productivity
• Increase the use and efficiency of supplements (protein, energy, minerals and vitamins) for better growth, production and over all performance of the farm animals and birds
• Develop suitable formula for preparing rations to various classes and species of farm animals birds based on the locally available feed resources including the concentrates and agro-industrial by-produces
• Improve the utilization of non conventional feed resources for ruminants as well as non ruminants
• Develop Nepalese feeding standards for different classes and species of livestock and poultry for their different physiological and production conditions
• Provide supervision and assistance in research planning, formulation and implementation in the areas of animal nutrition at various levels in the country
• Coordination of animal nutrition research activities among different organizations in the countr