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Enhancing rural income through formation of dairy groups: Norlha Tshogpa


With inauguration of 20-member Norlha Tshogpa – a dairy group, their worry of not being able to sell the dairy products is put to rest. The inauguration was done by the Chief-guest for the event, Dasho Dzongdag, coinciding with the RNR Exhibition at Dungkar. The enhancement of rural income by bringing in money through efficient management and marketing of dairy products and creation of employment opportunities are the definitive goal of the group.
Before the birth of the Norlha Tshogpa, the scenario of the group existence in Kurtoe gewog was such that atleast 10 small groups were spread haphazardly. They ceased to function after few years because the each groups consisted of only 5-7 members. Relating the common morals of more sticks put together and being able to hold better ground, Kinley Dorji, Livestock Extension of the gewog in collaboration with Dzongkhag Livestock sector proposed merging of these scrappy groups. He convinced them that “united they will stand and divided, they will fall’ So was formed the Norlha Tshgopa.
The modus operandi of functioning as explained by the chairman of the group is that members contribute 5 litres of milk everyday to the Milk Processing unit (MPU). The responsibility of processing and the marketing is shouldered by the MPU synonymously the executive members. A litre of milk is paid Nu. 22/- and the payment periodicity is maintained as one month. The profits as revealed by the Chairman of minimum of Nu. 1500/- a month is maintained in the saving accounts of the group.
The group currently consists of members from three villages such as Dungkar, Jatsabi and Tabi under Kurtoe gewog. A kilogram of butter is sold for Nu. 120 while same quantity of cheese fetches them Nu. 195. Nothing is wasted then the whey is sold for Nu. 15/litre. The civil servants, Dratshang and Schools of the gewog make up lion-share of the customers. Those not able to sell in the local market are brought down to Lhuentse where business provider has been identified and the cold storage facilities provided.
The group formation was facilitated by the Dzongkhag Livestock sector, Lhuentse through provision of trainings on group formation & Management, record keeping, development of both summer and winter pastures and other technical guidance and supports. “The sector office also provided butter churner, milk cans, sheds and other materials fundamental for functioning of such group” said Norbu Tshering, Offtg.DLO of Lhuentse Dzongkhag.
He added, “in the initial establishment period, the transportation of 14 Jersey cattle were provided free by sector office, all the way from Trashigang” The chairman of the group supplemented that they’ve plan to procure 26 more jersey cows and boost the production and income generations.

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