KATHMANDU, May 31: Dairy entrepreneurs have objected to the government's decision to abolish the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB).

Dairy associations and cooperatives expressed their dissatisfaction over the government’s decision to unilaterally cancel the dairy development board established in the year 2048 BS through the next financial year's budget.

Presenting the budget for the financial year 2023/24 on Monday, Finance Minister Prakash Saran Mahat said that the National Dairy Development Board would be abolished and the relevant ministries would carry out the related work.

Entrepreneurs say that due to the huge contribution of the dairy sector, the situation will be dire in the coming days as all work of the dairy sector is being carried out by the board.

The NDDB has been formulating policies related to the dairy business at the national level and drafting development plans for the same. It formulates policies regarding the import and export of materials required for production and promotion of milk and milk products.

The board has also been implementing the policies to recommend to the Government of Nepal for determining the prices of dairy products based on the cost of milk production.

It is the only body to develop and expand the dairy sector and solve contemporary problems by coordinating among milk producer cooperatives, private industries and dairy development institutes.

Dairy entrepreneurs have requested the authorities concerned not to cancel the board's activities for development in the dairy sector as the board has a key role in the implementation of the dairy policy 2078 BS. They have informed the relevant agencies not to cancel the board without any study.

According to a study, the dairy sector contributes about 66 percent to the animal husbandry sector. About three million households are directly and indirectly involved in milk production. The investment of the private sector is 40 billion rupees and more than 35,000 people are getting employment opportunities directly and indirectly. According to the Nepal Dairy Association, more than 60 million rupees reach rural areas from the city due to the dairy industries.

 
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