Milk with a mission: the Kangri Metok Journey

My name is Andrea Dominici, I’m a veterinary doctor specialized in dairy and rural development projects. For over 20 years I dedicated my time working in the most far-off corners of the world with the aim to create activities where humans live and produce food in harmony with nature. I’m also the co-founder of mYak Tibetan Fibers , an ethical yarn brand I created with my friend Paola with the aim of contributing towards the future of Tibetan nomadic population.

While working with the Tibetan nomads that provide the yak fiber for mYak, we had the dream to help them valorize not only the fiber but also the milk produced by these magnificent animals, in order to increase the social impact.

With mYak we provide this community with a good financial support, as we purchase the fiber at a higher price compared to the market value, directly from the cooperative we helped to establish , but this support only comes once a year, while milk production is a daily earning that can strongly impact the family income.

From dream to reality

It has been a very hard challenge, starting from zero, to create a dairy factory in this marvelous valley under extreme environmental conditions, but we did it, the factory is now ready and operational!

Imagine a place where pristine landscapes meet centuries-old traditions.

Welcome to Kangri Metok, a social enterprise nestled in the heart of the Tibetan plateau. Our name, "Kangri Metok," translates to "the flower of the snow mountain," a symbol of the beauty and resilience of the region.

Our Vision

At Kangri Metok, our vision is clear: we aim to bridge Italian dairy technology with local heritage and tradition in yak-based dairy production. Our goal is to build a sustainable dairy ecosystem that primarily benefits the nomadic communities of the Tibetan Plateau.

Why Kangri Metok Matters

Kangri Metok represents more than just a dairy factory; it embodies the spirit of collaboration and innovation. Our mission is to produce high-quality dairy products, including yoghurt, milk, and butter. What sets us apart is our commitment to uncontaminated ingredients – the pristine environment, abundant water resources, grass-fed yaks, and a process free from additives and preservatives.

We blend local traditional knowledge with cutting-edge Italian dairy technology, creating products that are not only delicious but also environmentally responsible. Kangri Metok aims to serve its neighboring 1,200 local nomadic families as both suppliers and beneficiaries. We strive to empower this community through collaboration and knowledge exchange.

Our Values

• Respect for the local community, their heritage, and the environment.

• Improving living conditions through increased household income.

• Establishing ethical and sustainable food production.

• Ensuring consumers' right to enjoy high-quality, nutritious, safe dairy products.

The Dairy Factory

Our dairy factory stands at an impressive 3,600 mt (11,800 feet) above sea level, situated in a pristine valley of the Qinghai Tibetan Plateau. Designed according to bio-architectural standards, it is built with natural materials, including river stones and yak hair. Solar panels and advanced sewage treatment systems ensure minimal environmental impact.

Our Team

Our team is entirely locally selected, we have now eight team members, strongly committed to Kangri Metok's vision and mission. This initiative could have not come to fruition without the precious knowledge of Massimo Mercandino, a master dairy technician and Laura Trombetta, a sinologist with 35 years of experience in these regions.

The Way Forward

Since August 2023, the factory started a little scale production and our yogurt is really delicious!

Kangri Metok is now poised for a new phase of development, ready to scale up its operations and at the same time increase our social impact towards the weakest part of the community but to do that we need your support!

Why Am I Here?

The future of nomadic communities hinges on the preservation of their traditional lifestyles. With your contribution, we aim to improve their way of life while honoring their traditions.

Our initiative seeks to establish a new milk collection system that reaches every doorstep—or, in many cases, every tent flap—even in the most remote valleys where market access poses significant challenges.

To achieve this, we require a reliable mean of transportation and a mobile lab to ensure the milk quality from each family meets standards. Furthermore, we're committed to offering ongoing training on best practices in milking, ensuring sustainable livelihoods for these local families.

Our fundraising goal is $29,000, a sum that will set this transformative journey in motion. Every donation, regardless of its size, can make a tangible difference. With your support, we can ensure the success of "Kangri Metok"—the "flower of the snow mountain!

This project has been a dream that is slowly but surely coming to fruition. This endeavor is not something we can do entirely on our own, and we would love to build a strong community of support around this community. We are motivated to put all the passion and energy into Kangri Metok as we do with everything else we do, and are also committed to holding ourselves accountable and transparent at every step, values we have inherited from our experience in the non-profit world.

But we need your help. We invite you to donate any amount you feel comfortable with. If you are not able to donate or even if you are, please help us spread the word about this campaign by sending a link to your friends and share in on your social media.

You have my heartfelt thank you and appreciation.

Andrea