Srinagar, Oct 21: The Sperm Station of FS Project, Ranbirbagh under the Livestock development Board Kashmir has become the second ISO-9001-2008 certified Semen Laboratory in North India. However, it is first such Laboratory in the entire country to have Codex-HACCP-2003 certification in addition to the ISO.
 This information was given at a high-level meeting of the Animal & Sheep Husbandry Department taken by Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi, minister for Animal & Sheep Husbandry, Science & Technology and Information Technology held to review the working of the Livestock Development Boards and Animal & Sheep Husbandry Departments on Thursday.
 Dr F A Kaloo, Chief Executive Officer, Livestock Development Board, Kashmir presented the certificates and audit reports from British Standards Institution Group to the minister and informed him that with the certification the Livestock Development Board has started receiving requests for supply of Frozen HF Semen from other states. The minister was also informed about the import of 21 Litres/hr Capacity Liquid Nitrogen Plant worth Rs 2.50 Crores from the Netherlands, which is shortly being installed at Shalteng campus of the Livestock Development Board where necessary civil works, are nearing completion. The total project cost is estimated at Rs3.50 Crores, which includes Rs 2, 50 crores received as Central assistance under NPCBB. The plant is expected to cater to 70 per cent  needs of Liquid Nitrogen of AI centres across Kashmir Valley. The minister was told that global tenders stand issued for purchase of elite bull semen from overseas for which funds are already available with the department. The minister expressed his dismay over the inordinate delay in the procurement process.
 The minister directed the Director Animal Husbandry Kashmir to take immediate steps for opening a stud farm in Kashmir to promote sports and tourism and to improve the lot of ponywallas. He suggested that Arabian Thoroughbreds and Zanskari breed be introduced for horse breed improvement.
 The minister later discussed the arrangements for sale of sheep and chicken on the eve of Eidul-Azha in both Kashmir and Jammu regions. The directors of Sheep and Animal Husbandry provided him with details of the arrangements about the sale of mutton on hooves and chicken.
 The minister laying the stress on the awareness generation about the livestock based schemes in vogue for unemployed youth in particular and farmers in general. Dr S L Tickoo informed the meeting that awareness campaign has already been started in Jammu. Dr B R  Kotwal the Director Sheep Husbandry Kashmir stated that his department has also started a campaign. Dr G R Mir, Director AH Department Kashmir told the meeting that the department has been continuing its efforts for awareness generation among farmers and funds for the purpose stand allotted to the district officers. The minister asked the HoDs to dovetail their programmes with Agriculture Department and organise larger shows at district level independent of other departments.
 The minister expressed satisfaction with the progress made by the two departments and hoped that the officers and staff of the two departments worked with zest & zeal to improve the production and productivity of livestock so that the dependence on import of livestock products like mutton and chicken is minimised to prevent flight of capital.

Lastupdate on : Fri, 21 Oct 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 21 Oct 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 22 Oct 2011 00:00:00 IST