Biratnagar, March 2 :

The only powdered milk plant in Nepal has been closed due to lack of milk. The plant, which was being operated under Biratnagar Dairy Distribution Project (DDP), requires around 20,000 litres of milk daily. Chief of DDP Biratnagar, Giridhar Bajracharya said the plant was closed for the past three days, as adequate amount of milk could not be collected from centres situated at different places in the eastern region due to ongoing transportation strike.

He added that only 10,000 litres of milk is being collected nowadays.

The powder plant, which was established in 1996 with financial support from Denmark, produces 25,000 kg of powdered milk daily. Bajracharya said that this is the only plant in Nepal, which makes powdered milk after refining raw milk.

The plant used to be operated for 10 hours per day prior to its closing. The powdered milk prepared here is supplied to Kathmandu. After reaching Kathmandu, the powdered milk is again refined to make liquid milk before selling it to customers.

Milk worth of Rs 450,000 from local dairy farmers is being wasted daily due to the transport strike. The DDP used to collect upto 30,000 litres of milk from its collection centres at Biplyante, Puwakhola, Fikkal and Kutidanda of Ilam, Budhabare, Suranga of Jhapa, Salakpur of Sunsari, Hile and Chitre of Dhankuta and Kanchanpur of Saptari, chief Bajracharya said.

Around 100,000 dairy farmers of the region have been affected by the continuous bandhs and strikes. Bajracharya said farmers have no other option than to throw away milk in the bandh.

DDP purchases milk from farmers for upto Rs 20 per litre.