Trace Foundation supports rural development initiatives that further local culture and traditions as well as economic and social development. In 2004, Trace Foundation established the Tibetan Cheese Project to support the Snowland Tibetan Cheese Factory, a unique income generation initiative founded by Trace Foundation and the Jigme Gyaltsen Welfare School in Golok/Guoluo Prefecture in 2001. Purchasing excess yak milk from nearby nomadic communities, the factory produces several varieties of cheese for domestic and international markets. Profits fund the Jigme Gyaltsen Welfare School and the Prairie Talent Girl’s School, where nomad children receive a free education in traditional Tibetan scholarship and modern subjects in the Tibetan medium. As part of the Tibetan Cheese Project’s goal of assisting the factory in achieving self-sufficiency, the Tibetan Cheese Veterinary Project (TCVP) worked to ensure a safe, sanitary production chain.
By 2006, The Snowland Tibetan Cheese Factory had established its reputation in China and was making inroads into the international market. However, further development of health and safety mechanisms were needed to ensure the cheese met international hygiene standards. The TCVP project helped the factory achieve a sanitary production chain by ensuring the health and hygiene of yak herds throughout the production process. In partnership with Veterinary Association for Cooperation with Developing Countries (AVEC-PVS) the project introduced animal-health training programs and vaccination facilities for nomadic herding communities. The project also helped the factory achieve self-sufficiency in production and export through production-cycle hygiene training, the creation of a laboratory for product analysis, and business planning. Activities focused on:
Veterinarian training and facilities:
Production training:
Factory self-sufficiency:
For additional information on the Tibetan Cheese Project and the Jigme Gyaltsen Welfare School, please visit: www.tibetancheese.org
duration: April to December 2006
budget: $70,093.88
(TF Contribution $34,902.13; 50%)
location (Tibetan/Chinese):
Golok/Guoluo Prefecture,
Ragya/Lajia Township Qinghai Province
TCVP project partners:
