TANAHUN: Livestock farmers of Belbas in Byas Municipality–13 have shown that with dedication and hard work, it is possible to earn a good income at home, comparable to working abroad.
Of the 61 farmers affiliated with the Belbas Dairy Producers Cooperative, 45 are actively engaged in commercial livestock farming. Cooperative Manager Shree Prasad Sankhi said milk production has continued to rise despite the ongoing dry season. “There are milk entrepreneurs here earning between Rs 15,000 and Rs 200,000 per month,” he said.
Previously, about 1,600 liters of milk were sold daily, but collection has now increased to 1,700 liters per day. Sankhi attributed the rise to growing enthusiasm among farmers after witnessing stable and attractive returns from dairy farming, even during the off-season.
The milk collected through the cooperative is supplied to Sujal Dairy Pvt. Ltd. in Damauli and Pokhara. With no marketing difficulties, more farmers are being drawn toward animal husbandry.
About 700 liters of milk are consumed daily through two outlets in Damauli Bazaar, while Sujal Dairy transports up to 2,000 liters of milk to Pokhara every day. Cooperative Secretary Meghnath Acharya said commercial livestock farming has transformed not only individual households but the entire community.
“It has created new motivation among farmers who want to produce milk and raise livestock,” he said, adding that the success of local farmers has sent a positive message to others.
Farmers say income from milk sales has made it easier to manage daily household expenses and financial transactions. Currently, milk worth around Rs 134,000 is collected daily at the farmers’ purchase rate. Producers also receive an additional Rs 3 per liter from the Veterinary Hospital and Animal Service Expert Center and Rs 2 per liter from Byas Municipality through the cooperative.
Cooperative Chairperson Keshav Bahadur Thapa said the sector could become even more effective if the state controlled the prices of feed and bran and prioritized subsidies based on production to further encourage commercial livestock farming.
With a milk collection center operating in the village, farmers find it convenient to sell milk both morning and evening. Ward Chairperson Basanta Bahadur Ale said the municipality has been providing production-based subsidies to support and motivate dairy farmers.
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