Lhuentse: The Dzongkhag Livestock Sector, Lhuentse opened a new dairy processing unit at Minjey on January 30. With the new facility, the Minjey dairy farmers group can now produce and supply standard and quality dairy products such as yogurt, butter, cheese and buttermilk among others.
According to Wangmo, the group secretary, they will process the dairy products in a standard and hygienic way as the unit is spacious enough and the required dairy equipment is well set up. She added that now they can compete in the market to strengthen the dairy group.
“As the head of the group, I am really excited to coordinate and develop linkages to improve the group performance and solve market problems through consultation with office bearers and relevant stakeholders,” Nado, the chairperson said.
The group name was changed to Women’s dairy group since almost all the group members are female and the whole process at the unit is run by women.
Currently, the group is producing 500 liters of milk a day in summer and 350 liters a day in winter. The group has a plan to add more group members to increase milk production.
In the past, lack of proper milk processing shed was one of the challenges faced by the group established in 2016 with 25 group members. This has impacted the production of clean and quality dairy products despite several monitoring and inspections by the livestock and BAFRA officials.
The products including yogurt, butter and cheese are linked with schools and Dratsangs of Lhuentse for marketing. They are also supplied in the local markets through support by Regional Agricultural Marketing and Cooperatives in Mongar.
The opening ceremony was graced by Lhuentse Dzongdag and Latshab of Lhuentse Dratsang accompanied by Dzongrab. The dairy value chain and product diversification activity is funded by CARLEP-IFAD.
Submitted by Neten Dorji (LPO) and Phurpa Tshering (Asst DLO), Lhuentse
