Thakurgaon is steadily gaining recognition as an emerging hub of mozzarella cheese production. Benefiting from a comparatively cooler climate, the availability of high-quality raw milk, growing market demand, and increasing use of modern technology, the district has transformed dairy processing into a promising agro-based industry.
Local entrepreneurs and consumers say that milk collected directly from local farmers is of superior quality, which plays a crucial role in producing high-standard cheese. To meet market demand and get better prices, producers are increasingly prioritizing hygiene and quality control.
They have identified the untapped potential, invested in value-added dairy processing, and set up 33 cheese factories in the district. Products from these factories are supplied to local markets and to hotels and restaurants in Dhaka. Some cheese is further processed in the capital and exported abroad.
Farmers clean cattle and collect milk, which is transported to nearby collection centers. Traditional hand milking has largely been replaced by mechanized systems, while machines are now used for grass cutting, milk heating, and cheese processing. These technological improvements have reduced physical labour, saved time, and significantly increased productivity.
In the past, small and marginal farmers often struggled to sell 20–30 litres of milk daily due to limited buyers and unstable prices, resulting in frequent wastage. This challenge has been largely resolved through the establishment of milk collection centres under the Rural Microenterprise Transformation Project (RMTP). Farmers can now sell milk at fair prices. Each collection centre gathers approximately 600 to 700 litres of milk per day, supplying a steady flow of raw milk to nearby cheese factories.
With funding from the Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the Eco-Social Development Organization (ESDO) is implementing a value-chain sub-project titled “Safe Meat and Dairy Production and Marketing” across 51 unions in five upazilas of Thakurgaon. The project aims to boost incomes of small farmers and entrepreneurs, ensure food safety and nutrition, and strengthen market linkages.
According to project officials, each medium-sized factory employs between 10 and 35 workers. Collectively, the 33 factories produce around 96 tons of cheese per month, sold at prices ranging from Tk 500 to Tk 650 per kilogram. The estimated local market value stands at nearly Tk 60 crore per month. In addition, factories also produce ghee, and butter, further diversifying dairy-based income.
Women entrepreneurs and workers have become a vital part of this growing sector. Masuma Khanam of Nishchintapur began cheese production in 2012 with just 27 litres of milk per day. Today, her factory processes nearly 2,500 litres daily, earning her an average monthly income of Tk 1.8 lakh and providing employment to 15 workers, most of them women.
The expansion of cheese factories has also encouraged the growth of dairy farming. Farmers now enjoy assured markets and better prices, motivating them to increase herd sizes and improve farm management. Many workers who were previously unemployed are now earning handsome incomes, supporting their families and their children’s education.
District officials stress the importance of maintaining food safety, hygiene, and proper waste management in dairy factories. Regular monitoring, training, and advisory support are being provided to ensure compliance with safety standards.
Overall, the rise of the mozzarella cheese industry in Thakurgaon stands as an example of how local entrepreneurship, modern technology, and institutional support can drive rural industrialization, create employment, and promote inclusive economic development in Bangladesh.
