As a response to counter Covid-19 the Milk Processing Unit (MPU) was made operational in order to meet the increasing demand for the Butter and Cheese in the Dzongkhag. Dairying was part of livelihood for people of Woogchilo besides mass potato cultivation for the income generation. The Farmyard manure production for the mass potato plantation and summer vegetable cultivation is the part of farming system integration with Dairy commodity. Therefore, Dairy farming is not new to the communities.
However, Milk produced at the individual household level were either churned for the consumption or sale informally to the local market without contributing income significantly for them. The cost of production as an individual was much higher which has discouraged them doing Dairy business. Moreover, with less knowledge and skill development in Dairy processing the community has never thought Dairying can be enterprising venture.
With the generous support from Dzongkhag Administration and the fund support from CARLEP/IFAD in collaboration with Geog administration the Self-help Group (SHG) was formed in 2019. The name of the farmers group is Terda Phin Som with the total member of 66 households. The main aim of the group is to collect fresh milk from each of the members for bulking or achieve required quantity of milk for processing. With this intervention the members can earn substantive amount of monthly income as cost of Milk after the sale of processed products. Not only monthly income the group can accumulate common fund provision from the profit after selling the products. Besides, the earnings from Milk the members will have easy access to fincial support whenever they need it.
The Milk processing unite was built with the support from CARLEP/IFAD along with the processing Dairy equipment. The group also was supported with shed construction, fodder planation, chuff cutters, training, study tour and others. They have outsourced 20 high yielding cows with support from Dzongkhag under subsidy package. Another 40 cows project under the CSI subsidy loan has been approved with sum of Nu.6 million which will be implemented this year. At present the milk collection is 340 liters. The products are marketed to Pema Gatshel and Wambrong towns. The group is also planning to start Yogurt processing very soon.
The inaugural opening of the MPU was graced by Hon’ble Dasho Dzongda, Pema Gatshel, Gup , Nanong Geog administration along with all the Group members on 14th July, 2020. Dasho, highlighted the importance of significant achievements made by Livestock Sector in Dairy commodity in the Dzongkhag. He also reiterated to work hard in harmony among the communities to achieve the noble vision and dream of our beloved King. He urged farmers working towards food sufficiency has become urgent due to pandemic of Covid-19. The day was closed after few interaction session, songs, and Lunch was served to all the members by chief guest.
Reported by:
Thinley Rabten
DLO
07 471 142