In the misty expanse of Tshaluna village in Thimphu’s Maedwang Gewog, the first stirrings of dawn are punctuated by the gentle lowing of cattle and the rustling of chickens. For many of Tshaluna’s women, this early-morning cadence signals the start of another day sustained by livestock rearing—a practice that has evolved from mere tradition into a lifeline, thanks to a local dairy cooperative that has steadily expanded since its founding in 2009.
At the heart of this transformation is 46-year-old Tshering Om. Each morning, she rises at six, stokes the fire beneath a pot of cattle feed, and methodically tends to her two Jersey cows. After washing them down, she milks the animals by hand, gathering fresh milk in sturdy metal pails. With the cows cared for, her attention shifts to her small poultry coop, where she releases her chickens and fills their troughs with feed.
By mid-morning, Tshering’s daughter, Twenty-two-year-old Sonam Deki, arrives. Armed with a diploma in food technology and catering, Sonam transports the milk to the cooperative’s collection point. Beyond this daily errand, she has taken on the responsibility of marketing the cooperative’s dairy products—cheese, curd, and butter—at its outlet in Thimphu town. Together, mother and daughter channel every ounce of effort back into the family’s well-being.
“Livestock rearing and farming are more than chores for us; they are our source of income and pride,” Tshering explains. Through the cooperative, she earns roughly Nu 40,000 each month from milk and egg sales—an amount that helps cover household expenses, repay a bank loan, and even save for her children’s future. “We deposit our combined income into a shared bank account,” she says. “We use it for groceries, school fees, and loan payments. Selling milk has truly changed our lives.”
When the Tshaluna Dairy Cooperative began sixteen years ago, it consisted of just 19 households, producing about 60 litres of milk daily. Today, its membership has grown to 32 families, collectively supplying 490–510 litres of milk every day. Behind these figures is the influence of the Thimphu District Administration, which provided initial support to help the cooperative take root. Seven workers—each a woman from the village—oversee operations, ensuring that milk deliveries meet quality standards and that products reach urban markets in peak condition.
“One litre here can mean a meal there,” reflects Yeshi Dem, a cooperative member. Depending on the quantity of milk she delivers, Yeshi’s monthly income ranges between Nu 40,000 and 60,000. “With this money, we can manage our loans, settle debts, and buy groceries. Sometimes, we even put aside Nu 500 every month for our children’s bank accounts.”
Similar sentiments echo throughout the village. “Without dairy farming, we’d have no other reliable source of income,” says Ugyen Dem. “The money we earn from milk sales helps us make ends meet. We can pay back loans and save a little for our children.” Phub Dem, another member, adds: “Our pay day is predictable. At the end of each month, the cooperative transfers our earnings—at least Nu 15,000—which we split between savings and household costs.”
Quality control is a cornerstone of the cooperative’s success. Before any milk is accepted, a sample undergoes testing for purity. If adulteration is detected, the supplier is fined according to the cooperative’s bylaws. This rigorous approach has bolstered consumer confidence and, in turn, increased demand for Tshaluna’s dairy products in Thimphu’s markets.
Pratiman Rai, the cooperative’s livestock officer, recounts how the cooperative has evolved. “Back in 2009, only 19 households were involved, and milk production hovered around 60 litres a day. Today, we have 32 households supplying nearly half a thousand litres each morning.” With this growth, the cooperative’s revenue last year alone reached approximately Nu 8 million—a testament to what a small, women-led initiative can achieve in just over a decade and a half.
Despite clear progress, the cooperative’s leaders are setting their sights higher. Chairman Sangay Tshering emphasizes their ambition to transform Tshaluna’s operation into a modern, self-sustaining dairy farm. “We aim to achieve full independence,” he explains. “Our members are deeply committed to maintaining high standards of milk quality. Now, we’re seeking funds to upgrade our facilities, modernize our processes, and expand our range of products.”
In Thimphu town, the cooperative’s modest outlet draws a steady stream of customers eager for fresh milk, artisanal cheese, creamy curd, and butter made just hours earlier in the hills above. For urban dwellers, each purchase means investing in a network of rural families—mostly women—whose hard work has carved out new economic possibilities.
As livestock rearing continues to anchor Tshaluna’s women in purpose and financial stability, their success story is rippling beyond the village. They are demonstrating how, with collective will, disciplined management, and community support, rural cooperatives can flourish. For Tshering Om, Sonam Deki, and their neighbors, every early morning spent with cows and chickens is another step toward a more secure future—one where children can dream bigger, debts can be paid off, and a simple glass of milk becomes a symbol of empowerment.
