Dairy Development Corporation (DDC), the public enterprise established for the development of the dairy sector is planning to establish diary production centres in Pokhara and Khumaltar of Lalitpur. According to the DDC, the new production centres are being established to develop the dairy sector and meet the growing demand. 

The DDC is re-entering Pokhara 13 years after it shut its shop in the lake city by divesting its plant to Sujal Dairy, a privately owned milk processing company. 

The corporation’s plan to relaunch itself in Pokhara is not a new plan. The DDC tried to set up its plant in Pokhara a few years back but it had to back track from its plan after the private sector opposed the decision. 

However, the DDC made a statement to relaunch itself in Pokhara during a ceremony organised to mark its 49th anniversary. 

Addressing the event, Yuvak Dhoj GC, secretary of Livestock Ministry also urged the corporation to expand its footprints to various regions of the country and meet growing demand for dairy products in the country. 

GC also asked DDC to end milk holiday and instead increase the production of powder milk by expanding its powder plant. Currently, the corporation is about to complete the expansion of its powder milk factory in Biratnagar. Once the plant comes into operation, it will displace the import of power milk in the market, according to the DDC. 

According to GC, the government is also planning to establish new milk processing centres in different places along the Postal Highway and mid-hill districts. 

“The dairy industry should be more aggressive to meet the demand for milk in the market, said GC, “The DDC should work together with private sector to develop the dairy sector. We should move forward in the development of overall diary sector of the country by partnering with Nepal Diary Association (NDA), Diary Industries Association and National Dairy Development Board.”

President of Forum for protection of Consumer Rights Nepal, Jyoti Baniya asked the government to effectively monitor the diary enterprises. “There are complains about the private diaries importing flour from India to mix with the milk,” said Baniya. 

President of NDA, Sumit Kedia demanded for the monitoring of the dairies that are informally operating in the country. 

“There are around 600 dairies informally operating in the country. These dairies must be regulated,” said Kedia.