Balen Shah Brings DDC Into Spotlight as Public Interest Grows

A simple social media post by Prime Minister Balen Shah eating DDC cheese has unexpectedly pushed Nepal’s state-owned Dairy Development Corporation back into the national spotlight.

Until just days ago, the government-run dairy institution was more commonly associated with delayed farmer payments, mounting financial losses and questions over management. But a casual Facebook post from the prime minister over the weekend suddenly shifted public attention toward DDC products, domestic industries and consumer trust in state-owned enterprises.

Posting a photo with DDC cheese, Balen wrote, “Say cheese, DDC ko cheese.” In a follow-up comment, he added, “DDC belongs to the Government of Nepal, bro-sis.”

The post quickly went viral.

In a country where government institutions are rarely promoted publicly by the country’s executive leadership, the gesture stood out. What may have started as a light-hearted social media moment soon evolved into a broader public conversation about Nepal’s struggling state enterprises and the place of domestic products in the market.

Many social media users joked that DDC cheese had started disappearing from stores immediately after the post. Others viewed the endorsement as a rare example of political backing for a public institution that has spent years defending itself from criticism.

From financial crisis to viral attention

Inside DDC, officials say the sudden attention has created an unexpected sense of optimism.

General Manager Sharan Kumar Pandey described the prime minister’s post as more than just an online trend. At a time when morale inside the institution had been declining, he said the public endorsement boosted confidence among employees as well as dairy farmers connected to the corporation.

“Support like this increases confidence among everyone working with the institution,” he said, adding that it also brings greater responsibility to improve product quality and service delivery.

That optimism comes despite serious financial challenges that continue to haunt the institution.

DDC still owes farmers payments for several months of milk collection. Many farmers have reportedly not received payments for milk supplied since the Nepali month of Poush. According to dairy cooperative representatives, delays that once stretched to six or seven months have improved slightly, but frustrations remain.

Kishor Bagale, president of the Chitwan District Milk Producers Cooperative Union, said farmers still expect payments within 15 days, even if conditions are somewhat better than before.

“If the market grows further, it could eventually provide relief to farmers too,” he said.

Heavy losses despite strong public trust

Government records show the scale of DDC’s financial difficulties.

In the fiscal year 2080/81 BS, the institution recorded losses exceeding Rs 230 million. Its accumulated losses have crossed Rs 2 billion, while its net worth has already slipped into negative territory. The government previously provided around Rs 900 million in loans to help manage milk procurement and operational expenses.

Apart from government liabilities, DDC also carries debts to banks and financial institutions. Official reports have further noted that the corporation lacks sufficient reserves even for employee retirement benefits.

Yet despite its financial struggles, DDC continues to maintain a surprisingly strong presence among consumers, especially in Kathmandu Valley.

The corporation claims it distributes between 65,000 to 70,000 litres of milk daily inside the valley. DDC milk selling out early in many local stores each morning is often viewed as a reflection of continued consumer trust.

Its product range has also expanded over the years beyond milk alone. DDC currently sells yogurt, butter, paneer, cheese, ghee, lassi, ice cream, mohi and flavored milk products including kesar milk.

DDC says quality control remains its biggest strength

Institution officials argue that product reliability is one reason consumers continue to trust the brand despite controversies surrounding its finances and administration.

According to Sanjiv Jha, head of DDC’s market department, milk collected from farmers undergoes testing at chilling centers before being tested again inside factories. Final products are sent to market only after laboratory verification, he said.

Jha also pointed to what DDC describes as a “no return policy.” Unsold dairy products distributed to the market are not reintroduced into circulation, a practice the institution says helps maintain freshness and safety standards.

Balen’s post revives debate on state-owned industries

For many observers, the prime minister’s post was not just about cheese.

Balen Shah has previously spoken publicly in favor of protecting domestic industries. During the election period, he had also expressed support for Nepal’s state-owned Udayapur Cement Industry, arguing that the government should actively safeguard national production.

His latest post about DDC is now being interpreted as part of that broader political message — one that emphasizes self-reliance, domestic manufacturing and public confidence in Nepali products.

At a time when state-owned enterprises in Nepal continue to face criticism over political interference, inefficiency and chronic losses, a single social media post has managed to bring DDC back into mainstream public discussion.

The larger question now is whether the sudden attention ends as another short-lived viral moment, or whether it becomes an opportunity for deeper institutional reform and renewed trust in Nepal’s public industries.