Jammu, Feb 11: Governor N N Vohra and the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah have called for the formulation and time-bound implementation of an Action Plan for the development of animal and sheep husbandry and poultry sectors in the state which have a huge potential for generating wealth and quick employment opportunities.
 The Governor and the Chief Minister said this while witnessing a power point presentation made by the Vice Chancellor, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana, Dr. V. K. Taneja, at Raj Bhavan, here today. The theme of the presentation was “Livestock in Jammu and Kashmir, present status and interventions needed for enhancing productivity and production”. The Governor, as Chancellor SKUAST-Jammu, had invited Dr. Taneja, who has recently chaired an all India review of the entire animal husbandry sector to visit Jammu and advise on how J&K could embark on a well considered developmental programme.
 The Governor said that Jammu and Kashmir has a high potential in the animal and sheep husbandry and poultry farming sectors which need to be developed by injecting all required technological interventions to speed up the economy and generate employment, particularly in the rural and remote areas of the State. He added that the animal and sheep husbandry and poultry sectors have the inherent capability to yield quick results both in terms of economic growth and creating employment avenues.
 The Governor stressed for greater collaboration and synergy among both the Agricultural Universities, field agencies of the State Government and the Veterinary Colleges with a futuristic and comprehensive roadmap for speedy development of animal and sheep husbandry sectors.
 The Governor impressed upon the two Agricultural Universities in the State and the Animal and Sheep Husbandry departments to pool their expertise for achieving desired results in regard to growth of dairy and poultry sectors as well.   Consequent to discussions after Dr. Taneja’s presentation, the Chief Minister,   Omar Abdullah, agreed that an Action Plan for the development of Animal, Sheep and Poultry Sectors in the State would be formulated by the Secretary Animal Husbandry Department,   B. D. Sharma, by 31st March 2010 and, further, this Draft Plan would be discussed threadbare at a Workshop to be organized by 30th April 2010, which would be participated by the representatives of the Animal Husbandry, Sheep, Poultry and other related departments; by senior experts from both the Agricultural Universities and, besides, by identified stakeholders in the non-governmental sector, to finalize the Action Plan.
 Referring to the development of pastures to meet the progressively increasing requirements of fodder, the Chief Minister observed that urgent action would be taken to set up a Task Force to evolve appropriate strategies. This Task Force shall include experts from the two Agricultural Universities of the State and the Forest, Agriculture, Animal and Sheep Husbandry and other concerned departments.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 11 Feb 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 11 Feb 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 12 Feb 2010 00:00:00 IST