Jammu Feb 9: The State Cabinet which met here today under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah decided to allow the Livestock Development Kashmir established under National Project on Cattle and  Buffaloe Development to purchase 21 liters/hr capacity Liquid Nitrogen Plant from M/S Stirling Cryogenics India Pvt Ltd on single tender basis in relaxation of rules.
 The plant to be imported from Holland will be installed at Shalteng near HMT Srinagar, said Dr F A Kalloo, CEO Livestock Development Board, Kashmir.
 According to informed sources the plant was sanctioned by Union Minister for Agriculture Sharad Pawar on the request of Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah to meet the liquid nitrogen needs of the AI centers of Animal Husbandry Department, Kashmir Division used for preservation of germ plasm at -196°C.
 Although there are five liquid nitrogen plants in the Valley, two of which are obsolete with reduced production levels, the production from the remaining three could not suffice, Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi, Minister for Animal/Sheep Husbandry Department, Science & Technology and IT told Greater Kashmir this evening.
 He said in keeping with growing needs of cryogenic preservative and future expansion plan for AI network under which a large number of centers will be made mobile to provide AI services at farmers’ doorsteps, the plant is being procured.
 He said that almost 90 per cent needs of AI Centers of in Jammu Division are met from Nangal Fertiliser Plant in neighboring Punjab at cheaper rates.
 He said that with the expenditure getting booked the state will be entitled to a Rs 10 crore grant for infrastructure development for cattle and buffaloe development in the state during the current fiscal.
 Under the plan two Liquid Nitrogen Silos and two tankers one each for Jammu and Kashmir divisions are being procured for storage and transportation of Liquid Nitrogen, he said.
 The minister said a large number of 3.5 litre and 7 litre capacity cryo cans AI Kits, Sperm Warmers are also being procured to have more and more mobile units across the state. “This would accelerate the development of livestock and give a boost to the milk production,” he said.

Lastupdate on : Wed, 9 Feb 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 9 Feb 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 10 Feb 2011 00:00:00 IST