The state-owned dairy producer has signed an agreement with Pokhara-based Panthi Dairy to supply 10,000 liters of milk in half-liter pouches in the lake city, which has been witnessing healthy rise in demand for dairy products in recent years.[break]
“We have outsourced the job to a local dairy as we don´t have infrastructure to process milk in Pokhara,” Siyaram Singh, general manager of DDC, told Republica on Wednesday. “Panthi Dairy has agreed to supply us 10,000 liters of fresh milk every day.”
DDC used to process milk in Pokhara until 2004 when it sold its plant to Sujal Dairy.
As per the agreement, DDC has to pay Rs 4.12 per liter to Panthi Dairy as packaging and processing charge.
DDC has been collecting and producing milk products through its eight milk supply schemes in Kathmandu, Biratnagar, Hetauda, Lumbini, Janakpur, Nepalgunj, Dhangadhi and Kohalpur. It is planning to set up a new processing plant in Attariya.
Singh said DDC will provide fresh milk collected from Chitwan and Makawanpur to Panthi Dairy to produce milk pouches.
The state-owned dairy giant has been collecting around 250,000 liters of fresh milk through its 63 chilling centers across the country. Out of the total collection, DDC has been producing fresh milk pouches and milk products from around 135,000 liters for the capital -- the largest dairy market in the country. It has also been supplying 25,000 liters a day to Chitwan-based Chitawon Milk.
Meanwhile, DDC officials and representatives of private dairy producers on the day met Prime Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai, demanding VAT exemption for dairy producers. They also demanded subsidy in electricity for dairies producing skimmed milk powder.
“The prime minister has assured us that he would consider our demands. He has also asked us to come up with suggestions for the development of dairy sector,” said Singh.
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