Background

In 1961, Department of Animal Husbandry (DoAH) was under the Ministry of Development (MoD). Based on the cadre system introduced by RCSC in early 1980s, the Ministries and Departments were reorganized. As a result the MoA was made responsible for forestry, agriculture, and animal husbandry. The DoAH were placed under the MoA in 1985 and was located near Trashichhodzong. In 1993, the Agricultural and Livestock Input Supplies and Farm Mechanization were combined together and merged with the DoAH, which was renamed as the Crop & Livestock Service Division (CLSD). In 1999 further reorganization continued and CLSD was renamed as Department of Agriculture & Livestock Support Services (DALSS). In early 2003, DALSS was bifurcated as Department of Livestock (DoL).

Livestock plays an integral role in the lives of Bhutanese farmers. Large areas of the country can only be used for livestock production, while in other parts, livestock is an integral component of a deeply rooted farming system. In order to achieve the overall national objective of higher living standards for the Bhutanese population, rapid gains and high productivity is essential. This can be accelerated with good organization structure whose institutions clearly defines and focuses on important aspects of efficient productivity under varied conditions.

Ever since the planned development started, Bhutan was critically short of skilled manpower. Even now Bhutan lacks skilled manpower in terms of quality and quantity. Through the development phase, there has been replacement of expatriates who were assisting in many development roles, yet Bhutan has never reached a situation whereby there are enough for every need. Therefore, this exercise mainly focused on approach towards meeting development needs based on available capacity of established institutions. Accordingly institutional setup for the department is re-organized with priority towards achieving national objectives by boosting outputs from established institutions to achieve realistic results from the field with efficient delivery of services.

Mandates

1. Develop sound policies and legal framework, strategies and guidelines to ensure efficient delivery of livestock services
2. Mobilize resources and promote research and development
3. Plan, co-ordinate, monitor, and evaluate the implementation of overall livestock development programs
4. Build HR & Technical capacity of all programs
5. Ensure supply of quality livestock inputs
6. Ensure sustainable utilization and management of livestock resources.
7. Promote livestock enterprise development.
8. Coordinate and implement highland development program
9. Promote climate resilient livestock production to mitigate and adapt to Climate Change.
10. Promote organic livestock farming.
11. Promote market access and marketing of livestock products.
12. Facilitate formation of Farmer Groups, Cooperatives and Federations
13. Safeguard health and welfare of animals through provision of quality animal health services
14. Promote one health approach to safeguard public health by prevention and control of zoonotic diseases
15. Liaise with international and national stakeholders in areas of livestock development.  

      

Objectives

• To enhance food and nutrition security and rural livelihood through promotion of livestock farming
• To enhance effective and efficient delivery of livestock services
• To generate appropriate technologies for enhancement of livestock production 
• To encourage youths and public sector investment in livestock enterprises
• To promote sustainable management and utilization of Natural Resources and contribute to RNR sector growth