KATHMANDU, DECEMBER 23

Dairy Development Corporation, Bagmati Province division is preparing to build a milk processing plant and chocolate factory in Rapti Municipality in association with the latter. After completing the detailed project report, the provincial division of DDC is now preparing to call a tender for factory construction.

As per the DDC, of the total investment, the provincial government will invest 70 per cent while local government will invest 30 per cent for the project. The project is estimated to cost Rs 243.7 million. However, the construction cost might change later based on the tender agreement.

Ministry of Agriculture, Land Management and Cooperatives of Bagmati Province has already issued budget for the project.

According to DDC’s concept report, the project has targeted to purchase at least 30,000 litres of milk from dairy cooperative institutions of Chitwan every day and produce chocolates out of it. Yearly around 10.8 million litres of milk will be processed to produce chocolates for consumption in the local market, as per DDC.

Undeterred by the adverse impact of COVID-19, the DDC has recently started working on its marketing plan to expand its business.

According to Rudra Prasad Poudel, general manager of DDC, the corporation is resuming operation of Biratnagar milk powder plant as well.

Meanwhile, DDC is also collaborating with the private sector to sell its products. During the lockdown period, consumption of milk and milk products had declined.

Thus, the corporation started to collaborate with supermarkets and retailers. It has also called on retailers to become authorised sellers of DDC products.