While the coronavirus pandemic has disrupted many businesses in the country, it has been a blessing in disguise for a milk-processing unit (MPUs) in Draagkteng Village, Trongsa.
The business at the MPU has picked up considerably with increasing number of people choosing local dairy products over imported ones in the wake of the pandemic.
The 23-year-old owner of the unit, Lhendup, from Nubi Gewog, said that dairy products are sold out every day. “Sales have doubled in the last few weeks. In the past, the daily sale was around Nu. 1000 but these days it is around Nu. 2000,” he said.
Established a decade ago, the MPU was struggling to stay in business and had suspended operations for a few years. It was re-opened last year and has been supplying dairy products to schools in three villages of the gewog.
The MPU collects milk from the Draagkteng Dairy Development Group formed by farmers of Tagtse, Tashidingkha, Eusa, Samcholing and Khamaed villages. The group supplies around 150 liters of milk to the MPU. The MPU produces 70 cheese balls and 5-6 kilogram of butter everyday. Butter is sold at Nu. 350 per kilogram and cheese at Nu. 50 per piece.
“At present, we produce butter, cheese and yogurt and we plan to produce sweets and hard cheese (Chugo) in the future,” said Lhendup.
Meanwhile, two other MPUs, located in Trongsa town and Tangsibji Gewog, have also reported increased demand for local dairy products and have been struggling to meet the demand.
Passang, Trongsa
