To ease J&K’s 900-crore poultry import bill, state in its draft Poultry Policy 2018 is envisaging to increase its local production by tapping its agro-climatic potential favourable for such activities.
The draft formulated by the animal husbandry department, state’s maiden attempt of policy formation for the poultry sector, has been sent to the State Administrative Council (SAC) for approval.
As per the draft J&K Poultry Policy 2018, the state in 2017-18 financial year witnessed a demand of 87,000 metric tonnes poultry meat out of which 75,000 metric tonne are locally produced while as 12,000 MT is imported from other states. The state as per the draft policy imported 96 lakh broiler chicken in 2017-18 while as 87.85 crore eggs, 5.84 crore day-old chicks and 85000 MT of feed were also supplied to J&K from other states.
“The flight of capital on account of imports of poultry amounts to more than Rs. 900 crores annually,” read the draft policy.
The draft policy has also suggested measures for creation of employment opportunities for local unemployed educated youth and income generation leading to economic development of the state.
The draft has sought declaration of poultry rearing and processing as a thrust area under the purview of J&K Industrial Policy and extend all the incentives under the ambit to the poultry rearing as well.
“Environment control, ventilation system to be brought under the ambit of subsidy (40 to 100 %) to control the pollution with subsidy pattern of (Rs 1 kakh to Rs 3 lakhs). Feed manufacturing plants to be integrated with commercial broiler farms, layer farms and parent stock farms with subsidy pattern envisaged under J&K Industrial Policy,” the draft has stated. It says all lending in the poultry sector should be made in “priority” sector lending by banks.
The draft Poultry Policy 2018 also aims to set-up a J&K Poultry Board and make it mandatory for new and existing poultry farms to renew their registration every two years, besides establishment of two Poultry Development Institutes, one each at Jammu and Kashmir divisions.
“Establishment of breeding farms with hatcheries and establishment of layer farms should be on anvil while as establishment and strengthening of commercial broiler farms. Creating infrastructure like laboratories, processing units is a must do,” the draft stated.
The policy has also focused on promoting backyard poultry farming as supplementation of rural households and to substantiate the protein availability for humans by involving masses and also for upliftment of their socio-economic status.
“New poultry farms shall be 400 metres away from inhabited area, educational institution, hospital, religious place, airport, etc. The Board shall seek NOCs from the concerned applicant. The Board shall provide technical guidance to the new entrepreneur in preparing layout, raising civil structure, etc for establishment of poultry farm,” it read.