Punakha is working to increase milk production to meet the growing demand for dairy products. Although the district produces about 1,300 metric tonnes of milk annually, the only Milk Processing Unit in the district is still facing a shortage of milk to meet market demand.
The Pungdzong Gonor Gakid Detshen Milk Processing Unit collects around 500 litres of milk daily from about 90 farmers. The unit processes the milk into products such as curd, yoghurt, lassi and fresh milk.
Demand for these products remains high. Most of the items are sold out by the afternoon, and many customers return empty-handed.
Due to the shortage of milk, the unit does not produce cheese and butter. Instead, it purchases these products from Tsirang to meet customer demand.
“It would be easier if the supply increased to about 1,000 litres. During the summer, we face a severe shortage because we have to supply milk to schools as well. Business is good. I do not know if our quality is good, but many customers prefer our yoghurt. So we still face shortages,” said Kinley Tshering, an operator with Pungdzong Gonor Gakid Detshen.
According to the district administration, Punakha’s milk self-sufficiency stands at 62.4 per cent, below the national target average of 88 per cent. The administration has also identified four additional dairy groups to expand supply and meet the growing demand.
To increase milk production, the district is consulting farmers on purchasing hybrid cows through a cost-sharing programme.
Livestock officials are also prioritising the use of high-quality artificial insemination and are being trained to improve the services.
The district is supporting farmers to improve cattle housing by providing rubber cow mats and promoting hydroponic fodder cultivation. Breed improvement programmes are also underway.
The government has spent Nu 4.3 M to construct a new Milk Processing Unit with the capacity to process more than 1,500 litres of fresh milk a day.
The processing unit is expected to move to the new facility soon, which is expected to address the current space constraints.
Kinley Tshering said,“We also face space constraints in the current unit. It is difficult to organise materials and receive supplies from outside. We do not have separate storage for items like yoghurt cups, and the limited working space makes it challenging to manage operations.”
With the new processing unit expected to start operations soon, the district hopes to expand supply and better meet the growing demand for dairy products in Punakha.
Changa Dorji, Punakha
