Orong geog is a livestock priority area in Samdrup Jongkhar Dzongkhag. At an altitutde of 1000m to 2000 metres above sea level, the geog has 467 households with a livestock population of 1589 heads of cattle, the majority being improved breeds. The people mostly depend on livestock for their livelihood. Orong geog does also have plenty of forest resources.

The Milk Processing Unit (MPU) in Orong was officially inaugurated along with the awarding of the Ownership Certificate to the Community Forest Management Group in Orong, consisiting of 71 members. The opening was graced by the Chief Guest Dasho Dzongdag, Dzongkhag Administration, Samdrup Jongkhar on 13^th December 2009. The event was attended by the Chief Forest Officer, Forest Territorial Division; Dzongkhag RNR Sector Heads; Civil Servants from the geog; the Gup and about 100 members of Orong Butter & Cheese Group and, members of the Community Forest Management Group (CFMG).

The Milk Processing Unit came into operation from 20^th August, 2009 with financial assistance from the Government of India (GOI)–Livestock project and Agriculture Marketing and Enterprise Promotion Program of the Ministry of Agricuture (AMEPP) in Khangma in Eastern Bhutan. It has been running smoothly since the establishment of the group. Presently, there are 47 members in the group. Previously the group started with a saving group of Nu. 20/- per month from each member which was deposited monthly to their BDFC account. The collection of milk from the group is more than 180 litres daily with butter and cheese being the main products.

The District Livestock Officer (DLO) welcomed the Chief Guest and the gathering for attending this special occasion. He said that the opening of the MPU at Orong is in line with the One Geog Three Products (OGTP) strategy of the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA). He also pointed out that forming such a group promotes the concept of farmers group and community based dairy management as a way of strengthening and enhancing community cooperation, planning skills and leadership development. He highlighted the main objective of the establishment of the MPU as increase in cash income for the community.

On the Community Forest (CF), the DLO pointed out that 324 acres are being handed over to 71 members for sustainable utilisation of forest resource through public participation and for easy accessibility of forest products without having to undergo lengthy procedures of obtaining forest permits. This is the sixth Community Forest in the Dzongkhag with a total of 2400 acres already given ownership to public so far.

Chief Guest Inspecting Milk Processing Equipment & Dairy Products.

The Chief Guest, Dasho Dzongdag in his opening remarks congratulated the Dzongkhag Livestock Sector & the public of Orong for taking full advantage of the farm road and taking up such economic activities on livestock production and marketing. He emphasised the importance of producing our own farm products for our own consumption and marketing. Dasho also informed that the Group should not be confining themselves to production of butter & cheese, but also thinking about products diversification, kitchen gardening, pig and poultry rearing, as there is a huge potential for such markets.

On the CF, he also stressed the importance of maintaining 60% of land under forest cover for all times to come as per the National Goal. Dasho also reminded on utilisation of CF resources as per the management plans & by-laws. He was really impressed with the farmers for taking such an initiative in coming up with these group businesses.

Awarding of certificates to CFMG 

The Butter & Cheese marketing group generated an income of Nu. 1,19,647/- so far through the sale of butter and cheese with a total group saving of Nu. 55,900/-. The group has one power tiller bought on 50% subsidy from AMEPP for milk collection and product transportation. They use dairy equipments worth Nu. 1,00,000/- supported by AMEPP & GOI Livestock project, DoL. The farmers are also supported through the normal Royal Government (RGoB) program in terms of breed improvement through the supply of more improved breeds of cattle, free improved pasture seed distribution, Artificial Insemination (AI) services & CBPP to boost up livestock activities.The products are basically marketed at Orong and the Samdrup Jongkhar market. The Dzongkhag shall soon be constructing a dairy products sales counter at the vegetable market area with Samdrup Jongkhar as a reliable market outlet.

Multi-purpose transportation facility for group

It is aimed that in the near future, the rural dairy enterprise in Orong will turn into a viable and self sustaining rural enterprise fully managed and run by the community themselves through adoption of scientific dairy management, production, processing and marketing methods. The project will not only increase the self help capacity and bargaining power of the farmers but it will also create employment opportunities for the village youth.

The future challenges lies to further increase the milk production, feed and fodder resource base, and establishment of marketing channels and outlets for the increasing dairy products.

The group will also need to construct new infrastructure as the present MPU is running at the old Orong LEC (Livestock Extension Centre) on a temporary basis. In addition, its working modalities and production parameters need to be improved, and upgrading of dairy equipments with scientific processing technology and packaging system needs to be put in place. 

Reported by: Mr. Pema Sherab, Oftg. DLO & Mr. Tenzin Penjor, LPS, DVH, S/J.