Dairy development project relocated from Attariya to Dhangadhi, production resumes

Dhangadhi: The Dairy Development Corporation (DDC) has relocated its Dairy Development Project in Attariya, Kailali, to Dhangadhi and resumed production from the new location. The shift followed a prolonged period of lockdown, agitation and the unavailability of suitable land for the project in Attariya.

There had been uncertainty for about seven months regarding the relocation of the project to Dhangadhi-15, Kanari. The DDC has confirmed that production, milk collection, distribution and administrative work have been operating from Dhangadhi since Poush 30. Although the office was shifted on Poush 4 and the relocation of the factory faced obstacles, all machinery and office equipment were eventually transferred, allowing production to resume.

According to the DDC, the office and industry have been moved to the warehouse of the Herb Processing Center in Kanari, Dhangadhi Sub-metropolitan City-15. Project Chief Niranjan Bhattarai said the factory is currently operating at full capacity. He added that milk collection and production are being carried out from Dhangadhi, with plans to further increase production by improving factory management.

Concerns had been raised that local employment would be affected by the relocation. However, the DDC stated that all employees who were working in Attariya have retained their jobs. Project Chief Bhattarai said that even when the factory was in Attariya, only three to four local people were employed, and no one’s employment has been terminated.

Earlier, local residents of Attariya and some public representatives had protested the relocation by blocking and obstructing the project. The DDC said that despite searching for suitable land in Attariya for a long time, relocation to Dhangadhi became unavoidable. In line with an agreement with Dhangadhi Sub-metropolitan City, the DDC had already constructed the necessary structure for the factory and office in the previous fiscal year.

Preparations to shift the project began last Jestha, but administrative work was disrupted for four months after residents of Attariya and public representatives locked the office on Jestha 8. During this period, farmers were unable to receive payment for their milk for an extended time. The lockout was lifted following all-party discussions as Dashain approached.

After land once again could not be secured in Attariya as per the agreement, the DDC decided to relocate the office and factory to Dhangadhi in Poush. While moving machinery, the project faced another lockout on Poush 14 during the loading of a machine. However, production was not completely halted, as work continued through the back door.

Following the failure to secure land in Attariya, the DDC reached an agreement with Dhangadhi Sub-metropolitan City and prepared the required foundation for the dairy factory at the Herb Processing Center godown in Kanari, Dhangadhi-15, at a cost of around Rs 800,000. The DDC said the relocation was finalized after obtaining the building and space at a rate cheaper than the market.

At present, the factory produces ready-made milk, curd, mahi, ghee, paneer, ice cream, lassi and other dairy products, which are sold through DDC sales centers. The factory processes around 300 liters of milk daily, while the remaining collected milk is sent to the Dairy Development Project offices in Hetauda and Pokhara.