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Koshi Province is a dairy powerhouse, with around 14,698 families engaged in dairy farming, producing 500,000 to 600,000 tons of milk annually, according to the Department of Dairy Development (DDC). Sahaj has played a pivotal role in boosting productivity and profitability, addressing challenges like limited technology access and market linkages.
The event showcased the work of four Challenge Fund II winners, selected from 146 applicants for their innovative solutions. Attendees sampled locally produced dairy products, including lassi, flavoured milk, small sachets of milk powder, cheddar cheese, and gouda cheese.
One of the success stories shared at the event was that of Adhunik Nepal Dairy, a company that has significantly scaled its operations with SDC project Sahaj’s assistance. Mr. Krishna Ghimire, Managing Director of Adhunik Nepal Dairy, revealed that prior to partnering with SDC project Sahaj, the company processed only 500–600 litres of milk daily. With technical support from Swisscontact’s Senior Expert Contact, the company now processes 1,800–2,000 litres of milk daily, producing high-quality Gouda and Cheddar cheeses for the Kathmandu market. The Senior Expert Contact (SEC) programme is part of the Swisscontact Development Programme, which is co-financed by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).
Government and industry leaders praised the initiative. Mr. Raj Kumar Dahal of the Dairy Industry Association commended the Challenge Fund’s practical approach, while Mr. Rajendra Raut, Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce & Industries (FNCCI) Koshi President, highlighted the government’s ban on dairy imports from India as a boost for local producers.
Building on the minister’s statement Dr. Sarad Kumar Pandey, Secretary to the Ministry of Industry, Agriculture, and Cooperative, pledged further support to make the sector internationally competitive through innovation and quality assurance.
Sahaj, a bilateral initiative between the Government of Switzerland and the Government of Nepal, is implemented by Swisscontact, as the lead agency, and Center for Environmental and Agricultural Policy Research, Extension, and Development (CEAPRED). It focuses on enhancing four key agricultural sectors: dairy, cardamom, vegetables, and maize. Koshi Province has emerged as a leader in Nepal’s dairy industry, thanks to SDC’s support.
The Second Round of Sahaj Challenge Fund provided financial and technical assistance to local dairy entrepreneurs, fostering innovation and scalability. This collaboration highlights Switzerland’s commitment to sustainable economic development in Nepal.
The Sahaj project exemplifies how targeted technical and financial support can drive local innovation, accelerating the transformation of agricultural economies. By reducing import dependency and empowering farmers, Sahaj has set a benchmark for sustainable development in Koshi’s dairy sector.