Early Morning Milk Rush from Bhutan to India
Gelephu – In the serene hours before dawn breaks, a lively scene unfolds in Dadgari, a small town in Assam’s Chirang district, right next to the Bhutan-India border in Gelephu.
By 6 AM Indian Standard Time, townsfolk gather along the roadside near the border gate. Some carry steel containers and jerry cans, while others, still in their pajamas, await one common arrival: a white milk van from Bhutan.
This van belongs to Gelephu Om Detshen, a dairy cooperative that sources fresh milk from local farmers. As workers cross the border to start their day in Gelephu, another line forms beside this van. For many in Dadgari, getting a supply of fresh milk from Bhutan is now an essential part of their daily routine.
In a region often reliant on imports, these morning milk deliveries symbolize the contribution of Bhutanese farmers beyond their borders. Many milk products enjoyed in Dadgari today likely come from these Bhutanese suppliers.
For numerous locals, this milk van has become a daily habit. Tea stall owners, sweet shop workers, temple caretakers, hotel staff, and families all line up before sunrise, hoping to secure their share before it runs out.
Demand for milk remains high as local dairy production is limited. Many residents depend on daily wage jobs or small businesses, with milk from nearby Indian villages coming inconsistently and often too late. Bhutanese milk, although a bit pricier, is recognized for its freshness and reliability.
“The Bhutanese milk costs a little more, but it’s dependable,” shared Sothi San, who runs a tea stall near the border. “My customers prefer tea made with fresh milk over milk powder, so I need to buy it daily.”
The first delivery is crucial. Sweet shop owners need milk to prepare for the day, and many Hindu households and temples use it for morning rituals and offerings.
By 6:30 AM Bhutan Standard Time, the milk van, filled with around 220 liters, arrives in Dadgari. It makes its final stop near the Indian checkpoint, where security personnel are among the first to purchase the day’s milk.
When the van reaches its last stop, much of the milk is already sold out. Disappointment quickly spreads when the supply runs dry, with some customers inquiring if another delivery will come later, while others leave with empty containers.
During peak production times, the cooperative makes two trips to Dadgari each day. However, in winter and spring, milk yields decrease due to seasonal issues, restricting deliveries to just one trip.
On the other side of the border in Gelephu, the day begins much earlier for farmers. Operating small household dairy farms, they start milking their cows before dawn. The fresh milk is collected and transported to collection centers.
Gelephu Om Detshen consists of 134 active members who own 402 milking cows and runs 10 milk collection locations. Besides supplying Dadgari, the milk is also sold at the Gelephu Bounty Market and distributed to sweet shops and ice cream parlors.
Milk sales provide vital income for farming families, playing an essential role in sustaining rural livelihoods. By mid-morning, the last container is usually empty. The van heads back to Gelephu, filled with empty cans, gearing up for another journey before sunrise the next day.
