The challenge

This important center, founded in 1988, provides veterinary and agricultural services to the entire Kaski District of Nepal. The original facility was too small for the growing demand, and the roof was damaged in a 2006 hailstorm. When construction of a new center stalled due to a lack of funds, SSF agreed to help finish the building on one condition: it must be built to appropriate earthquake-resistant standards.

Our role

The Animal and Agricultural Center is centrally located in the plain area, making it easily accessible for farmers in the surrounding hills. All services are sponsored by the government, making them free of cost for the farmers. The center has two departments:

1. Animal Center: Where farmers can bring their cattle for examination, insemination, and castration.

2. Agricultural Center: Where people can receive free, government-sponsored training in activities like growing crops, producing dairy, beekeeping, and fishery.

The new building was designed with a training hall, two offices, and six workspaces, including a laboratory. When SSF joined the project, the foundation had already been built, but its quality was substandard.

How we worked

Although SSF does not typically encourage the construction of reinforced concrete (RC) frame buildings due to their complexity and cost in seismic areas, especially compared to confined masonry, we agreed to complete the project since all the reinforcements for the concrete frames were already installed.

To ensure seismic stability, we strengthened the existing foundation by casting an extra beam on top before pouring the columns, beams, and roof slab. We provided extensive training and supervision throughout the construction process to ensure that all details, such as steel braiding and concrete mixtures, were correctly applied. The new building was completed and opened in 2009.

Partners and sponsors

As with all our projects in Nepal, this project was executed with the help of SEED Foundation and their chairman Damodar Bhakta Thapa, who managed communication and administration with the center's representatives. The project costs were partially financed by the center itself in cooperation with the Department of Livestock and Agriculture in Nepal. The remaining funds were co-financed by Smart Shelter Foundation and the Dutch funding and aid organization Hivos.

Recommended resources

Link to technical sheet Confined masonry versus RC frame

IS 17848:2022. Confined Masonry for Earthquake Resistance - Code of Practice. New Delhi: Bureau of Indian Standards.