KATHMANDU: The Gandaki province government has allocated Rs 30.906 million in grants to dairy farmers for the fiscal year 2023/24, based on their milk production. The Livestock and Fishery Development Directorate implemented the Production Based Incentive Support Program across 85 local levels in 11 districts, providing a subsidy of Rs 2.50 per liter for 13,961 metric tonnes of milk produced by 64 cooperatives.

This subsidy is targeted at dairy farmers who sell their milk through cooperatives. Last year, the provincial government had allocated Rs 65.5 million under the subsidy increment scheme. Director General Dr. Prerana Bhattarai emphasized that this support aims to bolster the dairy sector by incentivizing production through cooperative sales.

In Nawalparasi (Bardaghat Susta East), the district has achieved self-sufficiency in milk production. According to the Chief of the Veterinary Hospital and Livestock Service Expert Centre, Rishav Guragain, the district now produces 146 liters of milk per person annually, exceeding the World Health Organization's recommendation of 91 liters per person for developing countries. This surplus has allowed the district to start supplying milk outside its borders.

The significant increase in milk production in Nawalparasi (Bardaghat Susta East) reflects a successful implementation of local dairy farming initiatives and highlights the positive impact of the provincial government's support and incentives.