Nubee Om Nyamlay Detshen, one of the oldest milk processing units in Trongsa, faced challenges for years due to its cramped space. Limited room made it difficult to produce enough dairy products and maintain proper hygiene. Everything changed in March when the group moved to a larger facility at Yidzhin Throm shed. With more space, they can now make a wider range of high-quality dairy products while ensuring better hygiene. Today, the unit supplies a steady amount of milk to keep it running strong.
Nubee Om Nyamlay Detshen’s milk processing unit now operates from the ground floor of Yidzhin Throm shed, developed this year.
With the new space, the group now produces a variety of dairy products, including yoghurt and paneer, in addition to cheese, butter, and curd, and plans to expand further.
The unit already has a strong local market and frequently supplies products to Bumthang and Thimphu.
Established in 2011, the group has over 70 active members from Nubi Gewog, up from just 20 members in the past.
“Earlier, we used to produce only cheese and butter due to limited milk production. But since milk production has increased today, we are also producing yoghurt and paneer in addition to cheese and butter. We collect milk from our members once every two days, and during each collection, we receive a total of almost 1,400 litres,” said Tshering Dema, Staff, Nubee Om Nyamlay Detshen, Trongsa.
“Currently, I have two milking cows that produce around 10 litres of milk daily. By supplying the milk to the group, I earn around Nu 14,000 per month. The group has truly benefited the people who are rearing cows,” said Dechen Wangmo, Chairman, Nubee Om Nyamlay Detshen, Trongsa.
“We have a convenient process here. Each of us has an individual shelter by the roadside, and our job is simply to keep our milk there. The group members then collect it and take it to the processing unit. We also receive our payments without any problem, which is very convenient since we don’t have to carry and sell the milk ourselves. Likewise, it would not be affordable or practical for us to produce and sell cheese and butter on our own,” said Sangla, Member, Nubee Om Nyamlay Detshen, Trongsa.
Milk is collected every two days due to the scattered locations of the members. So far, the group has saved about Nu 800,000 and offers loans to members when needed.
Nubi Gewog currently has over 400 milking cows. The district administration has plans to introduce more varieties of dairy products in the future to boost marketing and sales.
“There is potential to produce more than just butter and cheese, such as yoghurt, ghee, and other dairy products. The unit has the capacity to produce a variety of products. For example, we believe we can produce better quality than similar products from India. In today’s era, quality is paramount. Therefore, we plan to introduce various diversified products beyond cheese and butter in the future,” said Jigme Chophel, Chief District Livestock Officer, Trongsa.
The group earns over Nu 1.1 M each month from the sale of dairy products and distributes more than Nu 1 M to its members for supplying milk.
With better facilities, growing membership and strong earnings, Nubee Om Nyamlay Detshen is transforming dairy farming in Nubi Gewog.
Changa Dorji, Trongsa
Edited by Sonam Pem
