Srinagar, May 25: Minister for Animal/ Sheep, Science & Technology and Information Technology, Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi today visited Government Sheep Breeding Farm, Dachigam and took stock of its functioning, an official statement said.
 Addressing the meeting, the Minister said that the State is ideally suited for rearing of sheep and goats owing to its congenial agro-climatic conditions, vast pastures and natural endowments.  He said that rearing of live-stock plays a catalytic role in transformation of socio-economic condition of the weaker sections of the society. He said that rearing of sheep and goat has great importance as the State is higher in consumption of mutton and woolen items.
 Aga Ruhullah highlighted the role of sheep breeding farms and  said that these farms act as research centres for studying the performance of various breed types, strains of sheep, besides studying the behavior of exotic animals. 
 The Minister was informed that the Sheep breeding farm, Dachigam was established on the recommendations of National Commission on Agriculture in 1962, envisaging fine wool production in the Northern Himalayan Region by establishing germ-Plasm centres. The centre is a ram production centre where crossbreeding has been adopted by the department as a method for bringing a quick genetic improvement  for production of genetically superior and high quality breeding rams used for cross breed. The improved rams are provided free of cost to the farmers for up-gradation of live-stock and improvement in wool and mutton production so that the farmers get remunerated price for their produce.  
 The Minister was apprised that a revenue of Rs.1.16 lakh has been realized from sale of live-stock at the farm during last fiscal. As many as  3,000 rams were distributed among sheep farmers during last financial year. The Farm has a strength of 1072 live-stock
 The Minister was also informed that the Farm has provided 16 good qualities cross-breed rams to the Sheep and Sheep Products department, Government of Uttaranchal on the recommendations of Advisory Committee, National Planning Commission for up-gradation of Sheep and Sheep Products outside the State. 
 Later, the Minister went round the farm and inspected shearing of Sheep done mechanically.

Lastupdate on : Tue, 25 May 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 25 May 2010 18:30:00 GMT
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