DDC on the spotlight

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

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.”

Within 24 hours, the post went viral, drawing more than 463,000 likes, 46,000 comments and over 4,000 shares across X and Facebook. Reactions were mixed. 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.

Yak cheese is made from the milk of Himalayan yaks, the long-haired cattle found in Nepal’s high mountain regions. Known for its rich and nutty flavour, it is considered an important source of protein in Himalayan communities and a key source of income for mountain farmers. Cheese-making in Nepal’s Himalayas dates back centuries, largely as a method of preserving milk in cold high-altitude areas.