A Tibetan woman from a herding family milks a yak near Xizang Gade Ecological Animal Husbandry Industry Development Co in Serni district of Nagchu, Xizang autonomous region. [Photo by Palden Nyima/chinadaily.com.cn]

Thousands of Tibetan herders in Nagchu city benefit from selling their yak milk to a local dairy company, which provides them with a stable income source.

Located in Nagchu's Serni district at an altitude above 4,500 meters, Xizang Gade Ecological Animal Husbandry Industry Development Co has been making waves with its exceptional yak milk products, known for their high concentration and nutritional value.

A herding family milks yaks in Serni district of Nagchu, Xizang autonomous region. [Photo by Palden Nyima/chinadaily.com.cn]

Established in 2017, the company now has 15 milk collection stations and 12 retail stores throughout Xizang, with plans to expand its reach soon.

Kelsang Gyaltsen, president of the company, said their flagship base has evolved into a comprehensive ecosystem comprising breeding, dairy processing and sales, benefiting over 32,000 herding families in the area.

Tibetan herders carry yak milk to sell to Xizang Gade Ecological Animal Husbandry Industry Development Co in Serni district of Nagchu, Xizang autonomous region. [Photo by Palden Nyima/chinadaily.com.cn]

The company has played a big role in local poverty alleviation. It has 135 local employees and has paid more than 130 million yuan ($18 million) to herding families to buy their milk, rent their grassland and pay salaries, according to Kesang Gyaltsen.

"Every year, each herding family receives an annual income of 50,000 yuan to 500,000 yuan from being involved in this business," he said.

The company mainly serves the local markets but aims to diversify its product range by introducing milk powder and freeze-dried yogurt, which will soon be available in more provinces and regions.

A Tibetan herder carries yak milk to sell to Xizang Gade Ecological Animal Husbandry Industry Development Co in Serni district of Nagchu, Xizang autonomous region. [Photo by Palden Nyima/chinadaily.com.cn]

Gaga, a local herder, said she can earn an average of 200 yuan daily by selling milk to the company, and thus her family condition has improved dramatically in recent years.

Penba has been working for the company as a manager since 2018. He said he is quite happy about his job, which provides a stable income for his family.

"In the past, herders did not have a stable place to sell their milk," said Penba. "They mainly consumed all the milk themselves, and now they can make money with it."

Yak dairy products from Tibetan herders who sell them in Serni district of Nagchu, Xizang autonomous region. [Photo by Palden Nyima/chinadaily.com.cn]