TANAHUN: Farmers in Belbas of Byas Municipality-13 in Tanahun district have increased milk production despite the ongoing dry season, encouraged by steady income from dairy farming.
Of the 161 farmers affiliated with the Belbas Dairy Producers Cooperative, 45 are engaged in commercial livestock farming. According to the cooperative’s manager, Shree Prasad Sankhi, daily milk collection has risen from 1,600 litres to 1,700 litres.
“Milk production typically declines during the dry season, but here it is increasing,” Sankhi said, adding that farmers are earning between Rs 15,000 and Rs 200,000 per month from milk sales.
Milk collected through the cooperative is supplied to Sujal Dairy Pvt. Ltd. in Damauli and Pokhara. Sankhi noted that reliable market access has encouraged more farmers to take up livestock farming.
The cooperative’s secretary, Meghanath Acharya, said two dairy outlets operating in Damauli Bazaar consume around 700 litres of milk daily, while Sujal Dairy transports about 2,000 litres to Pokhara each day. “This has motivated more farmers to engage in livestock farming alongside milk production,” he said.
Local dairy farmers say income from milk sales has eased household expenses and improved financial management. Currently, milk worth approximately Rs 134,000 is collected daily at the farmers’ purchase price.
Farmers receive an additional Rs 3 per litre subsidy from the Veterinary Hospital and Animal Service Expert Center and Rs 2 per litre from Byas Municipality through the cooperative.
Cooperative Chairperson Keshav Bahadur Thapa stressed the need for government intervention to regulate feed and bran prices and to prioritize production-based subsidies to further support commercial dairy farmers.
Ward Chair Basanta Bahadur Ale said the municipality has been providing production-based subsidies to encourage livestock farming. The presence of a local milk collection centre has also made it easier for farmers to sell milk twice daily.
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