Update: Enhancing capacity of famers on dairy equipment handling and repair; crucial for quality and hygiene, seamless operation and to maximize the money value of equipment

The agri-food sector plays a critical role in rural livelihoods, contributing 14.67% to the national GDP. By the end of the 13th Five-Year Plan (FYP), the sector aims to contribute Nu. 50 billion to the GDP. The Building Resilient Commercial Smallholder Agriculture (BRECSA) identified dairy as one of the commercial commodity for Trongsa Dzongkhag. Project has agreed to implement dairy value chain through the establishment of Centralized Milk Processing Plant (CMPP) at Nubi Gewog. Multi-Stakeholders Platform (MSP) conducted in the beginning of the year and value chain actors are identified. 

In preparation of dairy value chain implementation, RAMCO with technical support from NPHSC, Brombi conducted five days training on proper handling and maintenance of dairy equipment. The capacity building is the sincere attempt to achieve a 30% increase in resilient, commercial agricultural production while enhancing food and nutrition security in the project areas by 2030 of BRECSA. The training was aimed to build the capacity of MPU operators on basic maintenance and repair of dairy machines. The training also provided opportunity to inventorize the dairy equipment and to repair and restore the defunct machines. The training is expected to improve the efficiency, hygiene, and commercial viability of smallholder dairy processing.

The training program was held from 21 until 25 April 2025 at Nubi Gewog, Trongsa. A total of 16 farmers (3 male, 13 female) participated.  From the total participants, eight of them are youth within age range of 18 to 30 years old.  

Key topics covered included

• Introduction to dairy and food processing equipment
• Safe handling and operational procedures
• Equipment maintenance and troubleshooting
• Hygiene and safety standards in dairy production

The training is expected to in improved equipment handling, reduced post-harvest losses, and produced hygienic and safe to consume dairy products.