World Bank RNR Jobs Project - Dairy Commodity

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World Bank RNR Jobs Project - Dairy Commodity Official page for updates and progress on the World Bank funded RNR Job Project – Dairy Commodity

Official page of the RNR Jobs Project – Dairy Commodity, World Bank-supported and implemented by MoAL, RGoB, coordinated by DoL through NDDC. Sharing updates, announcements, and progress on inclusive and sustainable dairy development.

"Strengthening Dairy Value Chain through Farm to Table Training, Khotokha, Bjena Gewog"From healthier animals and better...
10/10/2026

"Strengthening Dairy Value Chain through Farm to Table Training, Khotokha, Bjena Gewog"

From healthier animals and better-quality milk to value-added dairy products and new income opportunities, a Whole-of-Value-Chain Training, is being conducted from 5th to 9th October 2026, strengthening dairy farmers in Khotokha, Bjena Gewog, Wangdue Dzongkhag with practical skills and knowledge across the dairy value chain translating improved production and processing practices into greater productivity, value addition, and sustainable livelihood opportunities. The training is being conducted in close collaboration with the Dzongkhag Livestock Sector, Wangdue, and National Dairy Development Centre (NDDC), Yusipang.
The training brought together 50 participants, including dairy farmers and milk processing workers, comprising 35 women and 15 men. The strong participation of women reflects their active and growing role in dairy farming, processing, and value addition within the community.
The training adopts a practical, hands-on, and learning-by-doing approach, enabling participants to apply the knowledge and skills gained directly at the farm and household levels. A key focus of the programme is clean milk production, with practical sessions covering animal and udder hygiene, proper use of udder-cleaning cloths, and pre and post-milking teat disinfection using teat-dip cups and milking techniques. These hands-on practices equip participants to apply improved milking hygiene at the farm level, helping to reduce contamination and milk losses, improve milk quality and safety.
The training also covers animal nutrition and feed management, including hands-on bag silage preparation using locally available fodder, facilitated by the Animal Nutrition Focal Person of the Dzongkhag Livestock Sector, Wangdue. The session featured a practical demonstration on bag silage preparation, followed by hands-on practice and farmer-led demonstrations, enabling participants to build practical skills in preserving quality feed for year-round use.
To strengthen preventive animal health management, participants are also being trained in animal production, disease prevention, and mastitis management, with technical support from the Dzongkhag Veterinary Officer, Wangdue. A practical session was conducted using live cow demonstrations to familiarize farmers with the California Mastitis Test (CMT) kit and enable them to identify and differentiate normal milk from mastitis-affected milk. The hands-on demonstration will strengthen farmers’ capacity for early detection and timely management of mastitis, helping to protect animal health, milk quality, and productivity.
The training also covers dairy processing and value addition, with hands-on training in yoghurt, kefir, and paneer making, supported by NDDC, Yusipang. The preparation of yoghurt, kefir, and paneer was demonstrated step-by-step, with the technical principles and processing procedures explained alongside each product. Participants will subsequently gain hands-on experience in preparing these products themselves, with technical guidance and support from NDDC throughout the training period, enabling them to develop deeper practical skills and the confidence to replicate the processes and produce the products independently.
By strengthening these interconnected components of the dairy value chain, the training aims to strengthen rural value chains, promote women’s participation, and support sustainable livelihoods and employment opportunities. For the dairy farmers of Khotokha, the training goes beyond skills development-it is a step towards turning improved practices into quality products, greater value, and more sustainable livelihoods.
Reported by Post Production Sector, NDDC.

World Bank South Asia
Department of Livestock, Royal Government of Bhutan

SMART DAIRY FARMING KNOCKS ON EASTERN BHUTAN’S DOOREmpowering frontline extension services for smarter, more profitable ...
07/10/2026

SMART DAIRY FARMING KNOCKS ON EASTERN BHUTAN’S DOOR
Empowering frontline extension services for smarter, more profitable and market-oriented dairy farming

Mongar | 06–09 October 2026. The journey towards smarter, more productive and commercially oriented dairy farming, through Capacity Building for Livestock Officers/Gewog Livestock Supervisors on the application of Smarter Dairy Farming Technologies for higher productivity, is gaining steady momentum in eastern Bhutan.
Recognizing the importance of strengthening frontline extension services to drive this transformation, the National Dairy Development Centre (NDDC), Yusipang, and Regional Livestock Development Centre (RLDC), Kanglung, under the Department of Livestock, are jointly conducting a four-day training program on Smart Dairy Farming for Enhanced Dairy Value Chain from 06–09 October 2026 at Hotel Tendrel, Mongar.
Supported by the World Bank-funded RNR Jobs Project, the program has brought together more than 26 Gewog Livestock Supervisors (GLSs), including six female participants, from the six eastern Dzongkhags—Lhuentse, Mongar, Trashigang, Tashiyangtse, Pemagatshel and Samdrup Jongkhar—along with Livestock Supervisors from government cattle farms (Arong, Tashiyangphu and Shersham). The program aims to strengthen the capacity of frontline livestock extension personnel to move beyond conventional technical advisory services and become catalysts for smart dairy farming, farm profitability and value-chain development.
From Better Breeding to Smarter Production
The training covers key technologies and practices essential for transforming dairy farming into a productive and sustainable rural enterprise. Participants are exploring the Cost-Sharing Mechanism for sexed and conventional semen, Elite Heifer Breeders Scheme (EHBS), IoT-based smart dairy farming, standardized dairy shed design, improved pasture and fodder management, Pakchong Hybrid Napier propagation, and Total Mixed Ration (TMR) formulation to partially replace compound feed usage in dairy farms.
Turning Dairy Farming into a Business
A key focus of the training program is also strengthening the business orientation of dairy farming. Through sessions on test-day milk recording, break-even analysis, farm economics, and dairy group operations, GLSs are being encouraged to support farmers in making record-based decisions, improving profitability, and achieving economies of scale.
The ongoing field activity is further connecting theory with practice through field exercise on dairy shed layout for five cow dairy unit, planned visits to nearby dairy groups, where participants will conduct case studies to assess economies of scale and analyze the break-even point of dairy group operations. This will provide participants with practical skills in conducting real-time field assessments and enhance their understanding of dairy group operations, milk collection, and other aspects of dairy value-chain development.
Quality Milk, Stronger Markets
The training also emphasizes that higher production must go hand in hand with higher quality. Sessions on clean milk production, dairy value-chain development and quality-based milk pricing are highlighting the importance of producing safe and quality milk, strengthening organized supply systems and building stronger dairy groups to improve farmers’ access to stable and remunerative markets.
Participants are also discussing practical challenges affecting dairy development, including summer milk surplus, fodder availability, electric fencing, expansion of artificial insemination services and implementation of improved breeding interventions. These discussions are providing an important platform to identify field-level solutions and strengthen coordination among the participating Dzongkhags.
From Extension Officers to Dairy Change-Makers
The ongoing training marks an important step towards building a stronger and more responsive frontline extension network for smart dairy transformation in eastern Bhutan. By enhancing the technical, and institutional capacity of GLSs, the program is expected to strengthen the delivery of smart dairy technologies and practices at the farm level while contributing to higher productivity, improved milk quality, organized marketing and more sustainable dairy enterprises.
The four-day training program is currently underway and will continue through 09 October 2026, with further technical sessions, practical exercises and field-based learning activities scheduled as part of the program.
“Effective extension services for Smart Dairy Farming is no longer at the doorstep—it is now knocking, and eastern Bhutan is ready to open the door.”
Reported by:
Dr NB Tamang, Dawa Tshering, NDDC Yusipang, and Mr. Thukten, RLDC Kanglung

World Bank South Asia
Department of Livestock, Royal Government of Bhutan

🐄 NDIS Field Implementation Kicks Off in BumthangFollowing the successful completion of the first phase of the National ...
01/10/2026

🐄 NDIS Field Implementation Kicks Off in Bumthang

Following the successful completion of the first phase of the National Dairy Information System (NDIS) field rollout in Punakha Dzongkhag, field implementation of NDIS has now kicked off in Bumthang Dzongkhag, beginning with comprehensive hands-on training and field exercises for the implementing officials.
The Bumthang exercise is being undertaken with a strong focus on practical learning, independent system use, and improved field efficiency, while incorporating the lessons and experiences gained from the Punakha rollout.
The training is designed to equip participating officials with the practical knowledge, skills, and confidence required to independently implement NDIS and effectively manage all system modules at the Gewog and Dzongkhag levels, both during the field rollout and beyond.
Following the hands-on training, a Performance Compact will be signed between National Dairy Development Centre (NDDC) and the Bumthang Dzongkhag Livestock Sector (DLS) to formalize the agreed roles, responsibilities, implementation targets, timelines, and expected outputs for the NDIS field implementation.
The rollout places particular emphasis on addressing the practical challenges and lessons identified during the Punakha exercise, including data accuracy, animal identification and registration, field data-entry practices, connectivity, equipment requirements, farm-level logistics, and coordination among field teams.
The field implementation will involve close collaboration among the Bumthang Dzongkhag Livestock Sector, Gewog Livestock Supervisors, NDDC technical team, and relevant stakeholders, with continued technical support and monitoring throughout the campaign.
📊 Through this phased, practical, and learning-based approach, NDIS will strengthen the systematic registration, identification, monitoring, and management of dairy farms, animals, breeding, and production records, contributing to a more reliable national dairy information system for evidence-based livestock planning, improved service delivery, animal traceability, and sustainable dairy development. The initiative will further support more informed management of the dairy sector, with the Bumthang Dzongkhag Livestock Sector committed to achieving 100% identification and registration of cattle within the 13th Five-Year Plan (FYP).
World Bank South Asia

"Completion of the First Phase of the National Dairy Information System Rollout in Punakha Dzongkhag"The National Dairy ...
17/09/2026

"Completion of the First Phase of the National Dairy Information System Rollout in Punakha Dzongkhag"

The National Dairy Information System (NDIS) is an important initiative of the Department of Livestock aimed at strengthening dairy-sector information management through systematic registration, identification, monitoring and updating of dairy farm and animal records, as well as breeding and production events. The system will provide a reliable and centralized database at the Gewog, Dzongkhag and National levels to support evidence-based planning, breeding management, production monitoring, service delivery and sustainable dairy development.
As part of the phased national rollout of NDIS, Punakha Dzongkhag became the first Dzongkhag to implement the system in the field. The rollout commenced with the signing of the Performance Compact, followed by hands-on training and field implementation.
The implementation was carried out collaboratively by the Punakha Dzongkhag Livestock Sector and the National Dairy Development Centre (NDDC) in a campaign mode, with Gewog Livestock Supervisors from all Gewogs pooled together to undertake farm and animal registration and physical ear tagging directly in the field. The entire program was supported by the World Bank-funded RNR Jobs Project.

The first phase of the rollout commenced from 30th August and was successfully concluded on 15 September 2026, with 957 dairy farms and 3,680 animals registered across all nine Gewogs. The achievement exceeded the initial targets of 500 farms and 3,500 animals set during the planning phase.
The Punakha Dzongkhag Livestock Sector expressed its appreciation to the Department of Livestock and NDDC for the support and technical guidance provided and for selecting Punakha Dzongkhag as the first Dzongkhag for the NDIS rollout.
The successful implementation marks an important step towards establishing a digitized, reliable and evidence-based dairy information management system to strengthen dairy development and service delivery in Bhutan.

"Hands-on training on the National Dairy Information System conducted in Punakha Dzongkhag"The National Dairy Developmen...
30/08/2026

"Hands-on training on the National Dairy Information System conducted in Punakha Dzongkhag"

The National Dairy Development Centre (NDDC), Yusipang, conducted a three-day hands-on training on the National Dairy Information System (NDIS) from 26–28 August 2026 at the Dzongkhag Veterinary Hospital, Punakha, in collaboration with the Punakha Dzongkhag Livestock Sector with fund support from World Bank RNR Jobs Project.
The training equipped Dzongkhag and Gewog livestock officials with practical skills in digital farm registration, cattle identification and registration, animal inventory, breeding and reproduction, milk production and testing, data entry and verification, and other NDIS modules.
A key milestone was the signing of a Performance Compact between NDDC and the Punakha Dzongkhag Livestock Sector, reaffirming their commitment to the systematic rollout of NDIS.
The initial implementation will be undertaken jointly by the Punakha Dzongkhag Livestock Sector and NDDC, Yusipang, through a two-week intensive field campaign in the targeted Gewogs. Gewog livestock officials will be mobilized and organized into 3–4 field teams to carry out farm registration, cattle identification and registration, physical ear tagging and data entry.
Through this joint rollout campaign, the partners aim to register at least 500 dairy farms and more than 3,500 cattle, establishing a strong foundation for the systematic implementation of NDIS across Punakha Dzongkhag.
The training also included a practical field session at Guma Gewog, where participants gained hands-on experience in cattle identification, tagging, farm and animal registration, inventory recording and data verification and also to test any system issues.
The initiative contributes to strengthening evidence-based livestock (particularly dairy cattle) planning, improved service delivery, animal traceability and sustainable dairy development, with the Punakha Dzongkhag Livestock Sector committed to achieving 100% cattle identification and registration within the 13th FYP.

World Bank South Asia
Department of Livestock, Royal Government of Bhutan
Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, Royal Government of Bhutan

"Bovine Tuberculosis Surveillance Plan Development Workshop Underway in Paro"A national workshop on Bovine Tuberculosis ...
14/08/2026

"Bovine Tuberculosis Surveillance Plan Development Workshop Underway in Paro"

A national workshop on Bovine Tuberculosis (bTB) is being held in Paro from the 11th to 14th of August 2026 through fund support from the World Bank RNR Jobs Project. The workshop aims to develop a structured, evidence-based plan to guide bTB surveillance, human health risk assessment, response measures, prevalence and risk management of bovine TB across Bhutan.
The workshop brings together participants from Animal Health Division, National Centre for Animal Health, National Dairy Development Centre, Regional Livestock Development Centre-Kanglung, Regional Veterinary Hospital and Epidemiology Centres in Phuentsholing and Gelephu, and Dzongkhag Veterinary Hospital, Mongar, Trongsa, Trashiyangtse, Chhukha, and Punakha. Recognising that bTB is a zoonotic disease requiring coordinated action across sectors, the workshop also involves representatives from the Royal Centre for Disease Control, Department of Public Health, Bhutan Food and Drug Regulatory Authority, and Department of Forests and Park Services.

"Artificial Insemination Refresher Training for Gewog Livestock Supervisors of Western Region"The Artificial Inseminatio...
11/06/2026

"Artificial Insemination Refresher Training for Gewog Livestock Supervisors of Western Region"

The Artificial Insemination (AI) Refresher training for Gewog Livestock Supervisors of Western region is ongoing at Yoseltse Gewog centre, Samtse that commenced on 1st June 2026 for 14 days. The selection of training venue was based on availability of training animals, and infertility cases to be attended in and around the nearby Gewogs. The training is coordinated and conducted by the National Dairy Development Centre (NDDC), Yusipang under the Department of Livestock, in collaboration the Dzongkhag Livestock Sector, Samtse with fund support from the RNR Job Project. The training aimed to enhance knowledge and practical skills of livestock field staff and technicians, thereby improving the efficiency of AI service delivery to dairy farmers, promote improved cattle breeding practices, and boost dairy production in Bhutan.
Artificial Insemination is an important reproductive bio-technology used to improve cattle genetics, prevent spread of contagious diseases, increase milk production, and enhance farmers’ income. In line with this, the training focuses on strengthening theoretical understanding and practical competencies of participants in modern cattle breeding and reproductive management aspects.
A total of 18 livestock staffs from the project Gewogs and Dzongkhags; Thimphu, Paro, Haa, Chukha, and Samtse Dzongkhags, are attending the training. Among the trainees, seven (39%) are female participants. The training was delivered through a combination of classroom lectures, group discussions, practical demonstrations, field visits, hands-on practice, and experience-sharing sessions. Major topics covered included cattle reproductive physiology, heat detection, age at first service, breeding after calving, semen handling and AI procedures. Participants are trained on confirmation of animal in heat, timing of AI, semen thawing, AI gun preparation, cervix fixation, and proper semen deposition techniques. Emphasis was also placed on hygiene, biosecurity measures, and record-keeping practices.
The training is expected to complement the building of trusted institution for delivery of AI services in the Gewogs/Dzongkhags through enhancement of AI skills of the officials, and enhance milk production and improve livelihood of farmers in rural areas.

World Bank South Asia




"Advancing Dairy Development Through Farmer Training and Baseline Milk Quality Assessment"From 2nd to 6th June 2026, the...
07/06/2026

"Advancing Dairy Development Through Farmer Training and Baseline Milk Quality Assessment"

From 2nd to 6th June 2026, the National Dairy Development Centre (NDDC), in collaboration with the National Highland Development Centre (NHDC) and Gewog Livestock Extension Agent, Bjena, successfully conducted a five-day training program and milk quality assessment for members of the Khotokha Gonor Yargay Detshen Dairy Farmers' Group in Bjena Gewog, Wangdue Phodrang.
The program, which recorded 74% women participation, strengthened farmers’ knowledge and skills in clean milk production, quality-based milk payment systems (QBMPS), and dairy infrastructure development under the World Bank-RNR Jobs Project. Practical sessions on hygienic milking, milk quality testing, and quality-based pricing were complemented by raw milk sample collection and analysis to establish baseline data on milk composition, udder health, antibiotic residues, aflatoxin contamination, and microbiological quality. The findings will support evidence-based interventions to enhance milk quality, strengthen dairy value chains, and promote sustainable milk supply to the Gyalsung Academy.
World Bank South Asia


"Strengthening Dairy Value Chain Actors through Horizontal and Vertical Integration for Resilient Farmers’ Institutions"...
07/06/2026

"Strengthening Dairy Value Chain Actors through Horizontal and Vertical Integration for Resilient Farmers’ Institutions"

A three-day workshop on strengthening the capacity of dairy value chain actors through horizontal and vertical integration was successfully conducted from 3–5 June 2026 at Hotel Holiday Home, Paro. The workshop brought together Dairy Farmers’ Group (DFG) committee members, Gewog Livestock Supervisor (GLS) representatives from World Bank RNR Jobs Project areas, and technical officials from the National Dairy Development Centre (NDDC) and the Department of Livestock (DoL).
The workshop aimed to promote the development of strong and sustainable farmers’ institutions by enhancing collaboration among dairy value chain actors and strengthening linkages across production, collection, processing, and marketing functions.
The participants were selected from among those who had previously undertaken an exposure visit to Anand, Gujarat, India, where they gained valuable insights into dairy cooperative governance, farmer-owned institutions, and integrated dairy value chain management.
The specific objectives of the workshop were to:
• Share lessons and best practices learned from Anand on dairy cooperative governance, member engagement, and integrated dairy value chain management, including milk collection, processing, and marketing.
• Conduct stakeholder analyses at regional and Agro-Ecological Zone (AEZ) levels to identify opportunities for expanding and strengthening existing dairy farmers’ groups and cooperatives to achieve economies of scale and commercialization.
• Develop area-specific action plans to strengthen local dairy institutions, improve member services, and enhance the efficiency and sustainability of dairy value chains.
A total of 16 participants attended the workshop, comprising six representatives from Dairy Farmers’ Groups, four Gewog Livestock Supervisors, one representative from the Department of Livestock, and five officials from the National Dairy Development Centre.
The workshop followed a structured three-day program consisting of:
• Technical presentations and group discussions on dairy cooperative development, value chain integration, and institutional strengthening.
• A field visit to the Milk Processing Unit (MPU) to observe the dairy value chain in practice and interact with local value chain stakeholders.
• Participatory stakeholder analysis and action planning sessions focused on mapping actor networks, identifying constraints and opportunities, and formulating strategic interventions to strengthen dairy value chains.
The workshop provided participants with a comprehensive understanding of dairy value chain processes and highlighted the importance of stakeholder engagement, collective action, and institutional development in enhancing dairy production and marketing. Particular emphasis was placed on strengthening both horizontal integration among farmers and vertical integration across the value chain to improve efficiency, competitiveness, and sustainability.
The area-specific action plans developed during the workshop are expected to guide future interventions aimed at strengthening dairy farmers’ groups and cooperatives, improving service delivery to members, and building resilient and commercially viable farmers’ institutions across the project areas.
World Bank South Asia




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