Jammu, Apr 21: The Government has approved establishment of mini-sheep farm in private sector to enhance the productivity of local sheep for achieving optimum wool and mutton production with superior quality breeding rams, an official statement said.
 This, according to the statement, was stated at a meeting of officers held here today to review the functioning of Sheep Husbandry Department under the chairmanship of Minister for Animal and Sheep Husbandry, Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi.
 Addressing the meeting, the Minister said that the Government is paying focused attention to increase the livestock, dairy and poultry products so as to cater the requirements of the people of the State in particular and to create more and more employment avenues in the private sector in general. He said that the project besides, increasing the production of wool, mutton and creation of mini germplasm bank in private sector, would also help in improving the economic condition by providing ample opportunities to earn livelihood by small and marginal farmers, agricultural labourers, entrepreneurs and unemployed youth of the State.
 It was stated in the meeting that the total cost of the unit would be Rs. 2, 37,800 with marginal money of Rs.37, 800 and subsidy components on capital investment of Rs. 60,000 which would be utilized in liquidation of loan or interest. The repayment of the loan would be in ten equal half yearly instalments, starting after 18 months from first disbursement on rate of interest on Primary Landing Rate minus 2.5 percent. The scheme has been adopted by the J&K Bank Limited.
 The beneficiary would purchase 50 cross bred eves for the establishment of unit under the scheme and would get two rams free of cost from the department for breeding purpose.  The selection of the beneficiary would be made by the selection committee, comprising Additional District Development Commissioner concerned, as its Chairman, District Sheep Husbandry Officer, Cluster head of J&K Bank and SDO/BVO/VAS concerned jurisdiction as Member Secretary and Members.  The meeting was further informed that the department would provide facilities to entrepreneurs in establishing the farm. These include training to beneficiaries at Government Sheep Breeding farms prior to establishment of ventures, optimum breeding cover, veterinary health care, technical guidance at door steps, marketing intervention of sheep and sheep products, shearing and grading facility, remunerative prices of sale of elite germ plasm produced by such units and development of land for fodder production under horti-pasotral  system.

Lastupdate on : Wed, 21 Apr 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
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