“Since we started daily test production, our central investigation department checks the standard of milk produced daily,” said Dr Tulsi Shrestha, Advisor of Chitawon Milk. The industry aims to bring high quality milk to the market when it starts its normal production, he added. [break]
“Although production was set to start in July 2009, it was delayed due to technical works. We will soon start regular production by collecting 150,000 liters of milk daily,” Udaya Raj Pandit, Head of Chitawon Milk, told myrepublica.com.
Dairy Development Corporation and Chitwan Cable Car Operators have invested Rs 650 million to operate Chitawon Milk. Eight banks have also invested in the firm.
During regular production the industry will produce 140,000 kg powdered milk of fat and non-fat varieties and hopes to sell 25,000 liters of milk in the local market a day. For other dairy products like curd, paneer and ice-cream, the industry will use 10,000 liters of milk.
The company plans to raise 15,000 cows and buffaloes for milk production. We are importing 5,000 Jersey cows, 5,000 Jar Holse Trin Phrasian cow and 5,000 Murra buffalo from India, Pandit said. Seven technical employees have been trained for looking after the livestock.
The industry has 60 employees and is in the process of hiring more.
It has been estimated that once Chitawon Milk starts regular production the import of powder milk will decrease by 90 percent. Nepal imports 4000 metric tonne of powder milk.
Since Chitwan can only supply 30 percent of the milk for the industry, rest will be brought from Nawalparasi, Rupandehi, Makawanpur, Bara, Parsa, Rautahat, Lamjung, Dhading and Gorkha. In order to facilitate the supply of milk the industry is working to operate three cooperatives and help farmers by giving 10 per cent loans at low rates to make milk supply easier.
The industry also hopes to export powdered milk in the international market.
Milk producing farmers will also have 12-13 percent shares in the industry and milk producing cooperatives will also be provided shares.
The operators claim that the industry will provide milk farmers in Chitwan good price for their milk and that they will no longer suffer from the wastage of produced milk and milk holding problems. They also hope that this industry will provide local residents with employment opportunities.
Related story
Bizarre food scam
