Feed mill in Trashigang

19 June 2009

Trashigang Dzongkhag has set up a feed mill in Pam to help the dairy development activities with a cheaper feed cost.

According to the Dzongkhag Livestock Officer, Dr Tshering Dorjee, the intensive dairy development in the dzongkhag led to a bigger demand for feed which drove the feed price higher. He said the core concentrate containing minerals and vitamins will be brought from Phuentsholing and mixed with corn.

“The readymade feed from Phentsholing is expensive because of transportation cost and monopolisation of the market,” said Dr Tshering Dorjee. “The feed mill here will make the market competitive and reduce the feed price.”

The feed mill is also expected to create a market for maize-rich eastern dzongkhags.

According to the chairperson of Pam Midey Gonor Gongphel Tshogpa or Pam dairy group, Dhendup Dukpa, a household owning two cows buys at least five bags of feed in a month. The dairy group spends at least Nu 16,000 to transport a truckload of feed from Phuentsholing. Now, the cooperative is expecting to cut the cost to Nu 4000.

He also said that the feed production will be cheaper as the group would now have to buy only the core concentrate. “The villagers grow maize, which can be used to make feed,” he said. “It will save their money.”

Dr Tshering Dorjee said the dzongkhag prioritised the feed development for better dairy products. “Feed development has to be in tandem with dairy development,” he said.

Unlike highland dzongkhags like Bumthang, the eastern dzongkhags do not have enough pastureland. Therefore, farmers mostly depend on crop residues like maize stems and rice straw.

Dzongkahg fodder focal person, Sheda Wangchuk, said the feed would help meet nutrient requirements for cattle and would increase milk production. “If farmers can produce enough feed, we are planning to supply it to other dzongkhags,” he said.

By Tempa Wangdi

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