Chogal's Cheesy Charm

In the idyllic valley of Kupwara, in the heart of north Kashmir, Farooq Ahmad is busy preparing the finest cheese for his customers. He is supposed to deliver an international order of 20 kg of cheese later in the afternoon.

Farooq has honed his skills in dairy products for the last twenty years and has earned a name and fame in his village, Chogal, called the ‘Cheese Village of Kupwara’.

This idyllic village; nestled on the Sopore-Kupwara highway has a history of producing the finest cheese for decades. The majority of the people living here are associated with the dairy business.

“My family has been in the dairy business for the last four decades. Every day I sell over 100 kg of cheese, in addition to curd and milk. I receive orders from across Kashmir, in fact, National

Conference President Dr Farooq Abdullah loves to taste cheese at my shop, whenever he visits Kupwara or Handwara,” Farooq told Greater Kashmir.

“Those working or studying in different countries prefer cheese from Chogal. People from Srinagar and other parts of the valley come here solely to buy cheese. The reason behind Chogal being famous for cheese is that we have maintained the quality all through these years and have never cheated customers by way of adulteration. The quality and flavour is the only reason people prefer to buy cheese from my shop," Farooq told this correspondent.

"I collect milk from nearby villages including Takibal, Haran, Gund Chogal, Pohrupeth, Haripora, Wahipora, Kulangam, Braripora, Bungam, Qultoora and Galoora. During winters I receive 800 litres of milk which gets doubled during summers. I am making a good revenue out of this business and most importantly my shop has become a source of livelihood to over a hundred households," he said.

"Earlier I would also seek a government job like other youth in Kashmir but then I left the idea and got involved in the family business. I am contented and satisfied that Almighty has chosen me to be the source of livelihood for many underprivileged families."

Farooq said that the preparation of cheese happens to be a difficult process. The process starts with the collection of milk following which a quality check of milk is carried out to ensure the finest cheese is prepared.

"After the quality check, milk is boiled and consistently stirred for several hours. In between additional cream is mixed to milk for better results. The milk is boiled at 90°F for almost thirty minutes following which coagulant is mixed to it and the cheese is ready," he said.

"Although a good number of youth are taking to dairy farming by availing different government schemes still many can opt this business for their better tomorrow,".

"A government employee hardly makes his ends meet but a businessman goes beyond that. The youth should pick the path of job giver and that could only be possible by starting their ventures".
"Youth should come forward and start their ventures by availing different government schemes so that they can be economically independent," he added.