Construction of Milk Processing Unit (MPU) at Wangshing under Minjey gewog, Lhuentse is underway and is expected to complete by May 2021.

Over the last 2 years, the farmers in Minjey gewog have seen a drastic increase in milk production from 80 to 250 liters per day in winter and 300 to 500 liter per day in summer . The farmers attributed this change to the project intervention i.e purchase of improved cattle breed and capacity building training.  In this regard, the construction of ongoing MPU was felt necessary for the product diversification-thereby enhance income generation for better livelihoods.

After the completion, the MPU will pool fresh milk from farmer groups of Minjey, Jalang, Bragong, and Gulibee LUC. The milk collected will be processed into diverse dairy products such as yogurt, buttermilk, cheese, and butter.

The ongoing MPU will promote clean and hygienic milk processing practices and also improve efficiency in product processing, storage, and delivery.

The construction is being carried out at the cost of Nu. 2 million with fund support from CARLEP-IFAD to Lhuentse Livestock Sector for FY2020-2021.

Reported by Chhimi Lhamo, GKMO, OPM

Information from Phurpa Tshering ADLO and Tashi Tshering, LPS, Minjey gewog, Lhuentse