ILRI and ICIMOD (International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development) identified, through
GIS-based mapping, that smallholder dairy is increasing in importance in the HKH region.
Informal discussions with NARS, NGOs and Dairy Cooperatives in Nepal, Bhutan, Uttar Pradeah
and Himachal Pradesh of India indicated that there is lack of a conducive institutional and policy
environment, and appropriate technology to support dairy development in these countries/regions.
A planning workshop jointly organized in August 1999 by ILRI and ICIMOD, with selected dairy
stakeholders from these four countries/regions, identified knowledge gaps required for dairy
development. The workshop recommended that a participatory rapid assessment (PRA) involving
various stakeholders be conducted by adapting methodology developed by ILRI, leading to a
further workshop to synthesize the results. The PRA will serve to: increase awareness among dairy
stakeholders from the countries about suitable policy and technology options; increase capacity to
undertake rapid policy assessment; and identify a focussed research agenda that can be
implemented through partnership for mutual benefit. Experiences learned will be useful beyond
HKH, particularly in other highland regions.