"Bhutan Ice-cream" Celebrates His Majesty’s Birthday.

Choling Yargay Daytshen, a farmers group of Singaygang village under Sipsu Dungkhag (Samtse) commemorates His Majesty’s 34^th Birth Anniversary distributing their own ice-cream product to the teachers, students of Peljorling Higher Secondary school and the local residents who gathered Friday at the school courtyard to witness the celebration.

After the speeches were made and the cultural items organized by the school were presented, it was the moment for the Bhutan ice-cream boxes to uncover their goodies. The Principal and the teachers got in line to taste their share and they were followed by the students and the local residents.

Standing in front of the Banner ; Chairperson Gauri Sharma

The Farmers Group which comprises of 25 active members organized the free distribution of Ice-cream. Each member contributed two liters of milk to manufacture enough ice-cream for the important day. ‘it is a moment of joy for us to be able to contribute on such a day, we wish our King a happy birthday and pray for his long live ’ said the Group’s chairperson Gauri Sharma who also initiated the move.

The Group Members with Local staff from Agriculture and Animal Husbandry departments

The Ice-Cream Machine

Bhutan Ice-cream is the only ice-cream brand in the country. The manufacturing plant at Singaygang village was made possible with financial aid from GEF,small grant program- UNDP and is supported by Ministry of Agriculture and Forest. The plant was formally inaugurated on 22^nd December, 2013 by His Excellency lyenpo Yeshey Dorji.

Inaugurating the ice-cream manufacturing unit

The Brand has come a long way from being a homemade ice-cream to a brand worth exporting. The ice-cream comes in both cone and pouches with information label and design. The brand has Five different flavors to offer; Vanila, Butter Scotch, Kesar Pista, strawberry and mix-fruit. Meanwhile, the product is only available in Samtse Dzongkhag due to the limited transport facilities and lack of marketing agencies.

           THEN                        &                                   NOW

Bhutan Ice-cream is one of the products produce by the farmers group. With the arrival of 15 jersey cow and 15 buffalos, the Group would be able to commercially produce cheese, milk, butter and “Bhutan Ice-cream”.  The government leased land which they have been provided will act as a pasture land for the cattle.

Choling Yargay Daytshen is also looking into fishery business and Bio-gas refilling machine which will make the Group self-reliant.

But for now, they are fully dependent on the production of ‘Bhutan Ice-cream’ and some dairy products to sustain the Group where wild elephants rampage the village each night.

# For any queries or order @ 17606108(Chairperson)