𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐃𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐲 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐄𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧 𝐁𝐡𝐮𝐭𝐚𝐧

…𝒘𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒏’𝒔 𝒄𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒅𝒓𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒔 𝒍𝒐𝒄𝒂𝒍 𝒎𝒊𝒍𝒌 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒅𝒖𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏, 𝒔𝒂𝒍𝒆𝒔, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒔𝒌𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒔 𝒅𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒑𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒂𝒎𝒊𝒅 𝒐𝒏𝒈𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒔

By Sonam Choden

Since it began operations in 2014, the dairy processing plant in Mongar has been a working example of women-led rural enterprise. Managed by the Zhonggar Nazhoen Gonor Gongphel Detshen, a community collective, the initiative started with thirteen members- twelve women and one man. Today, five women oversee all aspects of the enterprise, including milk collection, processing, marketing, and sales. The transition to a women-led team reflects the group’s adaptability and sustained involvement.

In the early stages, logistical difficulties posed a challenge. The processing shed was constructed below the main road, forcing members to carry heavy milk containers down several flights of stairs. “Before it was quite hard to work, having to take the milk containers by the stairs. However, after the processing plant was constructed, we can now easily take the containers,” said Tshering Dema, a 28-year-old mother of two.

A significant development occurred in 2019 when the Commercial Agriculture and Resilient Livelihoods Enhancement Programme (CARLEP) provided new machinery to improve efficiency. This included yogurt incubators, butter churners, and cheese presses. The members also received training on using the equipment and producing value-added dairy products. As a result, they gained technical skills in making cheese, paneer, yogurt, butter, and curd, improving both the quality and hygiene of their output. The shift from manual to mechanised processes has made operations more efficient.

During summer, the plant processes approximately 500 litres of milk daily, collected from five chiwogs. A hired vehicle ensures timely collection from farmers and supports local supply chains. The processed dairy products are sold through a counter in Mongar town and are also supplied to nearby institutions, including schools and the Gyelsung Academy. This customer base has helped generate a regular stream of income for the collective.

Members say the benefits are clearly visible. Sonam Zangmo, 28, who has one child, said, “Since I started working, life has gotten better such as the living standard.” Regular income has enabled members to contribute to household needs, support their children’s education, and improve their family’s living conditions.

The initiative has also had an impact on household roles. In many cases, husbands have taken on primary responsibility for childcare and domestic duties, allowing their wives to focus on managing the dairy business. This change has prompted reflection within the community on traditional views about gender roles. Through involvement in enterprise management and technical training, women have expanded their responsibilities both at home and in the public sphere.

However, challenges remain. One issue is packaging, especially the shortage of appropriate bottles for storing and selling curd. This limits how much the group can produce and sell. Another concern is the limited ability to maintain the machinery themselves. “The machines are prone to getting damaged, and we are not able to repair as we don’t know how. If training are provided, we would be able to do it,” said Pema Zangmo, the chairperson of the group. Without the necessary technical knowledge or access to spare parts, the group relies on external technicians, which can cause delays in production.

Addressing these gaps is important for the group to grow its operations. A steady supply of packaging materials would help the collective meet increasing demand and expand their product range. At the same time, basic training in equipment maintenance would allow members to handle minor repairs and reduce production interruptions. This would also lower the need for external support and allow the group to operate more independently.

The group is also working to expand its customer base beyond Mongar town. This effort aligns with CARLEP’s broader aim to support coordinated supply networks, improve producer-market connections, and promote production systems suited to market needs. If successful, the group could benefit from more stable income, better planning, and a stronger presence in the regional dairy sector.

The development of the dairy plant in Mongar supports national objectives related to rural enterprise development and women’s participation in economic activities. For the five women currently managing the facility, the work has provided both income and experience in operating a business. The initiative shows how access to resources, training, and local support can help women manage rural enterprises and contribute to community development.

This story is supported by the commercial Agriculture and Resilient Livelihoods Enhancement Programme (CARLEP) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MoAL), funded by the International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD).