The Kentucky-based feed additive company announced last week that it had officially opened an office in Kathmandu, Nepal to support producers in the country.
The company has had a presence in the Asia-Pacific market since 1986 and opened its first office in Asia in 1994, according to Alltech. The company has been working with producers in Nepal for several years and saw a 60% growth in business in the last year.
“Alltech has been in Nepal for last 15 years through our association with a distributor initially and now direct marketing,” Aman Sayed, managing director of India and regional director of South Asia for Alltech told FeedNavigator.
The company selected Kathmandu as the location for its new office, because many of the poultry producers in the country have offices in that area, despite having operations across the country, he said.
“This was one of the reasons why Kathmandu was selected for new office, to remain connected with the poultry producers.
“The new office gives us a good opportunity to serve the customers in a more effective and timely manner.
“Kathmandu being the capital and center of all the commercial and liaison activities, it is the ideal choice of starting the new office.”
In addition to the expansion seen earlier this year, the country’s agricultural sector provides about 30% of Nepal’s GDP, the company reported. About 80% of the population is involved with agricultural production.
“The growth of the feed market here is quite significant, and we are the first animal health company to enter into the market,” said Mark Lyons, president and CEO of Alltech, during the opening event. “Our team in Nepal is committed to supporting feed manufacturers and farmers as they meet the growing demand for meat and milk.”
Expanding markets and production
The new facility will be staffed by one in-office employee, and a two-member sales team is set to focus on working with customers, said Sayed.
“This is just the beginning for Alltech,” he added.
Dairy is one of the animal production areas that has been expanding in Nepal, the company reported. Neighboring India is one of the world’s largest producers of milk and one focus for Alltech will be to help Nepali producers improve dairy production practices by providing technical support and technologies.
“[The] dairy industry still in a nascent phase in Nepal,” said Sayed. “Our team in India and South Asia are well equipped with expertise in dairy nutrition, management and health.”
“The IFM (invitro fermentation model) lab in India will help Nepal dairy farmers significantly to choose right fodder and feed for cows and buffaloes to maximize their milk yield,” he said.
The country currently is unable to meet its domestic demand, according to Alltech.
Additionally, poultry production both for broilers and layers has been expanding, said Sayed. “There is also an interest in aquaculture by many farmers,” he added.
“The Alltech India team will continue to support the feed millers and farmers on technical inputs to improve their performance and profitability,” he said.