Phidim, February 3:

Farmers of Nawamidanda Village Development Committee (VDC) in Phidim are benefiting following the opening of dairies here. Their income has increased as they are being able to sell even milk-products in their own area.

With this, their products are getting a good market. Most locals here are adopting cattle farming for their livelihoods.

Remembering his past days, a farmer of Nawamidanda-9, Deepak Dulal said, “In the past, we were compelled to take our product to Ranke, Rabi and Ghurpise Panchami markets for selling. But we have now greatly benefited with the opening of the dairy in our village.”

According to local farmers, there are seven dairies in Nawamidanda VDC. Once dairies started, farmers were greatly encouraged towards cattle farming. The earnings from milk sale is enough to pay back loans, farmers opined.

“By selling milk, I earned about Rs 40,000 in a year,” said a farmer Loknath Dulal, adding, “Our income was limited as there was no dairies here.” Similarly, Panchabir Gole and Bal Bahadur Shrestha of the same VDC have also initiated cattle farming after having retired from government employment.

According to dairy owners, currently milk products worth about Rs 100,000 are being supplied from the VDC every month. Milk products are mainly being supplied to different markets in Panchthar, Phikkal in Ilam, Damak in Jhapa, Birtamod and Darjeeling, India.