Dairy farmers in about five gewogs of Punakha are not happy with the revised price for milk. The farmers who sell milk to a processing unit say the price increase is too less and not enough to meet expenses.
The people of Kabisa, Guma, Dzomi, Chhubu and Toedwang Gewogs supply milk to the Pungdzong Gonor Gakid Detshen Milk Processing Unit located at Khuruthang. Every day, the unit receives about 300 to 400 litres of milk.
The unit spends around Nu 55 of which Nu 45 is paid directly to the farmers, Nu 5 is deposited in the group’s account and Nu 5 is for transportation expenses.
With the recent revision, the farmers are now expected to get about a Ngultrum more for each litre of milk.
“We have been supplying the milk without any price increase. Forget about earning a profit, we have to buy salt and feeds and then pay around Nu 300 to 400 from our pocket for transportation. I am not happy with the price revision,” said Phurba, a farmer from Kabisa Gewog in Punakha.
“Be it government or be it our groups, we would be happy and encouraged if the price of the milk is increased based on the situation. Otherwise, it is discouraging,” said Tandin, another farmer from Toedwang Gewog in Punakha.
“We would be happy even if the price is increased by about Nu 5. If the price is increased, we will be confident and encouraged to raise more cows,” said Drali, a farmer from the same gewog.
The Milk Processing Unit along with the chairpersons of the groups and relevant district officials met last month and decided to increase the price by 0.69 Chhetrum per litre.
“I thought of increasing Nu 5 per litre for the farmers and also selling it at an increased rate to the customers. But we could not increase it as it is already profitable for the farmers while calculating the prices of all feeds such as karma feed and other items,” said Kinley Tshering, the Proprietor of the Milk Processing Unit.
However, some of the farmers are not happy with that revision. But officials said the present price is already high and is the second highest in the country.
Changa Dorji, Punakha
Edited by Tshering Zam
