Farmer Agnidhar Sapkota rears two buffalos of Lime and Parkote breeds, the indigenous breeds being famous for their high milk yield.

Sapkota of Rishmi in Galkot Municipality-9 says as the demand for quality milk, particularly from indigenous breeds has been rising, and so, they have planned to brand it.

“If we pack it well and brand it, we can get higher rates,” said Sapkota. “The milk of indigenous breeds is tastier and healthier.”

Sapkota’s neighbours, too, rear buffaloes of the same breeds for milk production.

Around 60 households in Rishimi produce a combined 300 litres of milk daily, which is taken to the nearby local markets, around 7 kilometres away from the village.

However, while transporting the milk during summer, the highly nutritional food rich in protein and fat is prone to deterioration by oxidation.

“If we don’t take the milk in time to the market, the milk goes to waste,” said Sapkota.

But now, the locals of Galkot have geared up to store the milk and package them by establishing a chilling centre.

“The chilling centre will extend the shelf-life of fresh milk,” said Sapkota.

Hundreds of farmers in Galyang, Kande Baas, Aagkhet and Malma in Galkot municipality are engaged in daily milk production from indigenous buffalos.

According to the Veterinary Hospital and Animal Services Expert Centre in Baglung, nearly 15 million litres of milk are produced in the district every year. Out of the total output, the majority is produced by the indigenous varieties.

Galkot Municipality has allocated Rs900,000 in the current fiscal year to construct a chilling centre. The local farmers have collected Rs400,000 to fund the project.

Narayan Prasad Sapkota, president of Galkot Agricultural Cooperatives, said once the chilling centre comes into operation, the cooperative has targeted to collect thousands of litres of milk from the farmers.

The municipality has already purchased the equipment for the chilling centre worth Rs800,000. The equipment will be handed over to the farmers once the construction of the building is completed.

According to Sapkota, the cooperative has requested the farmers to increase the population of the indigenous buffalo breeds, exclusively for milk production.

The farmers in the villages get Rs70 for a litre of milk. If it is taken to the market, they will get Rs110 per litre.

The local farmers are planning to produce other dairy products once the chilling centre is opened.

The locals have pleaded with the municipality to increase indigenous breeds to boost milk production.

According to the farmers, these varieties don’t need processed food and commercial feed.

“Instead, they can well graze in the forests and survive on the local feeds,” said Sapkota.

Rishi Ram Sapkota, chief of the Veterinary Hospital and Animal Services Expert Centre in Baglung, said the milk of Lime and Parkote buffalos is highly nutritious.

“We have also been promoting the indigenous breeds. If we can increase their population, we can have sufficient milk production,” he said. The centre has decided to provide technical assistance for the branding and packaging of milk, Sapkota added.

Bharat Sharma Gaire, mayor of Galkot Municipality, said that if everything goes as planned, the district can attain self-sufficiency in dairy products after the chilling centre comes into operation.