Dairy development
initiatives in Bhutan dates back to 1st Five Year Plan (1961-66),
when the Royal Govt. introduced Jersey and Brown Swiss as principle dairy breed
in the country. The major focus on
dairy development consists of formation of farmers’ institution (Dairy Farmers Group, Cooperatives and
Federations), breed improvement, post-harvest
technologies and production support.
The
Department of Livestock, towards realizing its vision and mission, initiated
the commodity approach in 10 Five Year Plan. Subsequently, the erstwhile National
Livestock Breeding Programme, was renamed as National Dairy Development Centre (NDDC)
from 11th September 2012, with prior approval from Renewable Natural
Resources-Gross National Happiness Commission committee. The center is entrusted
as apex body to oversee the dairy development programmes in the country, which
is located at Yusipang, 14 kms away from Thimpu town. The coordination and implementation
of dairy development activities in the field is supported by Regional Livestock
Development Centres (RLDCs), Dzongkhag Livestock Development Centers and Govt.
dairy cattle farms.
The
functioning of the center is as per the organizational set-up.
Vision
Attain self-sufficiency in milk and milk
products by increasing milk production through adoption of appropriate
technologies and improved dairy management practices
Mission
Enhance milk production through:
– supply of quality inputs,
– adoption of mechanized production and
processing,
– application of bio-security and
animal welfare standards,
– institution of reliable marketing
channels
Mandates
As apex body for dairy development;
implement policies, formulate strategies and guidelines
Coordinate implementation of dairy development programs including sourcing and/ production of required inputs
Support development of vital infrastructures and capacity building of field staff
Develop institutional linkages and conduct need based research
Development
Objectives
To produce high yielding dairy cattle for
sustainable green economy
To promote income generation capacities of dairy
farmers by creating employment opportunities
To facilitate private sector investments in
dairy enterprise
Implementation
strategy
Consolidate breed improvement programs and
up-scale dairy development activities
Strengthen input generating units/ farms for un-interrupted
supply of breeding inputs
Promote dairy production by mass via formation
of more dairy farmers groups and cooperatives (both vertical and horizontal of
farmers’ Institution)
Link small holder dairy producers to market and enable them to become commercial dairy
entrepreneurs
Encourage public- private partnerships investment on dairy enterprise development
Develop special scheme for Buffalo production
Facilitate access to credit
Encourage youth and early school leavers to take
up dairy enterprise
Strengthen dairy post-harvest facilities and
technologies
Develop human resource capacity for priority
research in dairy development
Functions of different units under NDDC
Animal Breeding, Reproduction and
Biotechnology Unit
The unit has section four
sections; LN2 Plant, Laboratory, National Cattle Information system (NCIS) and
CHBPP section, and the roles and responsibilities of the unit are as follows;
Production and/ sourcing of inputs/germplasm
required for breeding and dairy development in adherence to fulfillment of
basic criteria and guidelines.
Coordinate the strengthening of contract
breeders program for breed improvement through participatory approach involving
farmers
Coordinate the implementation of National Cattle
Identification and recording System.
Strengthen AI programme through establishment of
new AI centres and introduction of mobile AI services in dairy belts.
Oversee demand and supply of breeding bulls in
areas where AI is not feasible including bull exchange program to avoid
inbreeding.
Conduct cattle fertility campaign and Oestrus
synchronization for reproductive waste management
Evaluate the performance of dairy cattle breeds
at different blood level and recommend appropriate breed/ blood level of
animals suitable to different agro-ecological zones.
Coordinate the management of production and
reproductive diseases including research in collaboration with NCAH and other
relevant stakeholders.
Initiate new reproductive technologies such as
MoET, OPU and IVF for faster dissemination of genetic gain in cattle
population.
Dairy Extension Unit
The unit has three sections;
Dairy farmers groups & cooperatives, Dairy cattle sourcing & supply,
dairy cattle & Heifer farm section, and its roles and responsibilities are
as follows;
Identify potential dairy belts to promote dairy
development activities in the country in collaboration with RLDCs and
Dzongkhags.
Coordinate demand and supply of dairy cattle in
the country and maintain national inventory.
Institutionalize heifer production scheme and
provide support for supply of quality heifers to the dairy farmers (group
members)
Support Nucleus cattle farms for better
efficiency in input generation.
Provide support for farmers’ group formation
including training needs on improved dairy husbandry practices and initiate
formation of dairy cooperatives.
Facilitate access to credit for dairy enterprise
development.
Study
reproduction and production parameters of dairy cattle breeds
Dairy Technology Unit
The unit has three sections;
Dairy product & quality, Processing, development & diversification and
Infrastructure & equipments section, and its roles and responsibilities are
as follows;
Plan and coordinate the activities related to
product diversification, value addition, packaging and marketing of dairy
products (value chain development).
Plan and coordinate the establishment of Milk
Processing Units, Milk Collection Centers and dairy sales counters.
Coordinate procurement and supply of dairy
equipment and maintain national inventory.
Coordinate training on clean milk production,
product diversification, packaging and marketing
Ensure standards for quality control of dairy
products
Promote private public partnership in dairy
enterprise development.
Study microbiological and compositional quality
of fresh milk in collaboration with relevant stake holders
Coordinate the conduction of market research on
demand and preference of consumers
Fodder Development unit
The unit has two sections; forage
production and crop residue enrichment section with following roles and
responsibilities;
In close liaison with NCAN, the unit will facilitate fodder development
activities under Dairy Farmers Groups
(DFG) such as;
Contract fodder production
local feed and fodder resources enrichment
programs
winter fodder conservation
Maintain
national inventory of improved
cattle sheds and silo pits
Work out the requirement of animal feed
(concentrate) and fodder of Dzongkhags and DFGs based on cattle population and their productivity
