J&K Government approves Rs 26.42 cr projects for livestock development

J&K Government on Friday approved the project proposals worth Rs 26.42 crore of the Animal and Sheep Husbandry Department for the year 2019-20.

According to an official spokesperson, the proposals includelivestock development, breed improvement, intervention towards productivityenhancement, fodder and feed development, skill development, technologytransfer and extension and risk management.

   

The decision was taken on Friday in the State LevelExecutive Committee (SLEC) meeting to oversee the implementation and accord ofapproval to the National Livestock Mission (NLM) Action Plan for 2019-20, whichwas chaired by the Chief Secretary, BVR Subrahmanyam.

According the spokesperson, Financial Commissioner, Finance,Arun Mehta; Principal Secretary, Animal & Sheep Husbandry, Asgar Samoon;Secretary, Rural Development & Panchayati Raj, Sheetal Nanda; Dean Facultyof Veterinary Sciences, SKUAST, Jammu/Kashmir; Chairman, J&K Milk ProducersCooperation Ltd; Secretary, J&K Advisory Board for Development of Kisans;President, Poultry Association Kashmir and other senior officers were alsopresent in the meeting.

Principal Secretary, Animal & Sheep Husbandry, AsgarSamoon gave a detailed account about the existing status of the sector. Samoonsaid that though livestock sector has shown gradual improvement in terms ofquantity and quality yet focussed attention is required to address shortfalls.He said the department is also in the process of importing exotic Merino andother elite Rams & Eves known for their wool quality and body weight forcross breeding. He said the department is also introducing insurance for dairyanimals and sheep under the risk management component of the mission.

Chief Secretary observed that the animal and sheep husbandrysector holds enormous potential for economic transformation of the state. Hestressed on making concerted efforts for better productivity and returns in thesector. He directed the department to submit (i) district-wise details ofproduction of Milk, Mutton, Chicken, Eggs, fish, and fodder/feed (ii)number/quantity of livestock, poultry & fish (iii) number of familiesassociated with livestock sector (ii) value and volume of Milk, Milk Products,Mutton, Chicken, Eggs, fish and fodder/feed imported from outside the state(iii) total Milk, Milk Products, Mutton, Chicken, Eggs, fish, fodder/feedconsumed in the state and (iv) likely demand/potential of the state forproduction/consumption of these products.

Chief Secretary also directed the Department to submit detailswith regard to average production/consumption of Milk, Milk Products, Mutton,Chicken, Eggs and fish in J&K viz-a-viz the national level and some of theneighbouring states. The Forest Department was asked to submit detailsregarding the scope of fodder development in various types of Forest landsacross the state.

Chief Secretary observed that these details will help thegovernment to formulate an economic model on improving local production of thelivestock products for achieving self sufficiency, so as to gradually reducedependence on imports.

On development of Poultry sector, it was informed thatAnimal & Sheep Husbandry Department is working on a proposal for creationof 4-5 Poultry Estates on lines of Industrial Estates in the state. TheDepartment was asked to work out economic models, infrastructure and landrequirements for hatchery units, incentives and initiatives in consultationwith the Poultry Industry for sustainable growth of the Poultry sector.

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