๐๐ฉ๐ช๐ฎ๐ฑ๐ฉ๐ถ, ๐๐ถ๐จ๐ถ๐ด๐ต 22, 2025: The Livestock Sector of Thimphu Dzongkhag livestock sector initiated the production of two high-value cheeses, Tomme (Lanor Soft Cheese) and Gumdel (Lanor Semi-hard Cheese), in Dagala Gewog. This initiative, designed to uplift the livelihoods of yak herders, is supported by the Bhutan Foundationโs Small Grants Program and implemented in collaboration with the National Highland Development Centre (NHDC) and local herding communities. Five members of the Dagala Lanor Nyamlay Tshogdey (Yak Cooperative) are actively engaged, supplying yak milk at Nu. 100 per liter. The cooperative has partnered with Lanor Creamery as a private buyer, with the cheese marketed at Nu. 900 per kilogram. On August 15, 2025, the cooperative successfully delivered its first consignment consisting of 216.43 kilograms of cheese, marking a promising beginning for this venture.
The Dagala Yak Cooperative currently comprises 44 households, including 18 male and 26 female members, with a yak herd of 2,944 according to NSB 2025. To ensure quality and expand production, a cold storage facility has been established at Kaja Throm with support from the Department of Agriculture and Marketing Cooperatives (DAMC), MoAL. This facility will play a vital role in proper cheese ripening and storage.
The Department of Livestock (DoL) initiated the production of high-value yak cheese products in 2021 targeting niche markets to enhance incomes for yak herders under cooperatives and the Bhutan Yak Federation. In the year 2022, the European UnionโBhutan Trade Support Project supported the capacity building of the herders and technical staffs in production of Tomme and Gumdel with the technical expertise from a French cheese maker based in Nepal. Following, the research trials was conducted to upscale cheese production in Paro, Haa, and Bumthang using yak milk led by the National Highland Development Centre, Wangdue. The Department rebranded these products as Lanor Soft Cheese (Tomme), Lanor Semi-hard Cheese (Gumdel), and Lanor Noble Fibre (yak fiber) to establish a unique Bhutanese identity. In 2023, His Majesty The King blessed the launch of Tomme, Gumdel, and Caciocavallo cheeses at the 5th Royal Highland Festival at Laya, Gasa. With further support from Japan Supplementary Budget (JSB) โUNDP a small-scale cheese processing and a cheese cellar was established inNational Yak Farm, Chonaphu, Haa in 2024.
In parallel, the Department of Livestock, in partnership with ICIMOD, Thimphu Dzongkhag, DoFPS, and NLCS, is spearheading a rangeland restoration program in Dagala to address the shortage of feed and fodder for yaks. This intervention ensures the long-term sustainability of yak farming in Bhutanโs fragile highland ecosystems.
The launch of Tomme and Gumdel cheese represents a milestone in adding value to yak-based products. It creates new income opportunities for highland herders while positioning Bhutanese yak dairy as a distinctive niche in regional and international markets.
