Farmers in Belbas, located in Byas Municipality–13 of Tanahun District, have set a strong example showing that with dedication, it is possible to earn income comparable to foreign employment while staying in one’s own country.
Out of 61 members affiliated with the Belbas Milk Producers Cooperative, 45 farmers are engaged in commercial livestock farming and have become a model for the community. According to cooperative manager Shriprasad Sankhi, milk production is increasing even during the dry season, when output usually declines.
“Here, dairy entrepreneurs earn anywhere from NRs 15,000 to more than NRs 200,000 per month,” he said.
Previously, the village collected 1,600 liters of milk daily. This has now increased to 1,700 liters. Farmers have expanded their cattle numbers after realizing that dairy farming provides a reliable income, resulting in higher production even during the off-season.
The milk collected by the Belbas Milk Producers Cooperative is sold to Sujal Dairy Pvt. Ltd. in Damauli and Pokhara. With a guaranteed market for their produce, farmers have been increasingly attracted to livestock farming.
Two retail outlets operating in the Damauli market consume around 700 liters of milk daily, while Sujal Dairy transports approximately 2,000 liters of milk to Pokhara every alternate day.
According to cooperative secretary Meghnath Acharya, commercial livestock farming in the area has brought change not only to individual families but to the community as a whole.
“Along with producing milk themselves, farmers are now inspiring others who wish to enter livestock farming,” he said.
At present, milk worth approximately NRs 134,000 is collected daily based on the official purchase price. Farmers receive a subsidy of NRs 3 per liter from the Veterinary Hospital and Livestock Service Expert Center and an additional NRs 2 per liter from Byas Municipality through the cooperative.
Cooperative chairperson Keshav Bahadur Thapa stated that greater impact could be achieved if the government prioritizes feed price control and production-based subsidies to further encourage commercial dairy farmers.
With a milk collection center located within the village, farmers find it convenient to sell milk produced both in the morning and evening. Ward Chairperson Basanta Bahadur Ale said the municipality continues to provide production-based incentives to motivate local farmers.
