(MENAFN- Kashmir Observer)
Srinagar- Maintaining that 40% meat is imported from other states of the country to meet the consumption demand in Jammu and Kashmir, the Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha said on Saturday that his administration's aim is to increase livestock productivity & focus on untapped potential for the export & value added products.
Sinha made these remarks during the inauguration of a workshop on 'New Horizons in Sheep & Goat Husbandry among Tribal Community: Challenges & Opportunities' here at SKICC on Saturday, an official spokesperson said.
“Jammu & Kashmir holds the distinction of having the highest per capita consumption of sheep/goat meat in the country and therefore to meet this huge demand we import around 40% of our requirements from other states. This huge demand of sheep/goat meat by our people is more of an opportunity than a challenge as it offers huge scope for the sheep and goat farmers,” the LG said.
The spokesperson said that the LG also informed that his government has partnered with New Zealand to develop a model sheep farming system through better breeding practices, technology transfer, doubling wool and meat production, marketing, capacity building and ensuring additional income for sheep breeders.
Sinha, he said, also observed that UT has attained the privilege of having the finest breeds of sheep in the country and it is again a privilege that we hold 50% of the cross bred population of the country in the UT.
“We are also the second largest producers of wool in the country and number one in terms of quality of wool produced. Though processing of wool has not been tapped to what it should have been but our Government is very concerned about it and many viable solutions are under active consideration of the government which shall be brought into public domain very soon,” the LG said.
Sinha also announced to set-up Common Facilitation Centres – one each in Kashmir and Jammu Division for collection, grading, sorting and packaging of wool.
“We have made significant achievements in the sector but the Government is keen to push this sector to newer heights and plug all loopholes to make this sector more vibrant, profitable, market driven, employable and sustainable,” the LG said.
The spokesperson said that addressing the demands and issues of the tribal community, the LG announced that his administration will build 1000 sheds for livestock of the tribal community.
Besides, he said, Sinha also announced that the Tribal Affairs Department will extend the financial assistance of Rs one lakh each to 1500 Self Help Groups for Wool Shearing Machines and Skilling.
“50 Self Help Groups will receive Rs 3.00 Lakh each for GenSet and solar power based shearing machines for“Dhoks,” the LG said.
The LG, according to the spokesperson, also shared the government's plan for bringing out a scheme for social security for sheep breeders and providing insurance cover to the livestock.
“A comprehensive policy will also be prepared for health cards and monitoring of health for disease prevention and control measures,” the LG added.
The spokesperson said that the LG congratulated the J&K Advisory Board for Development of Kisans and UT's Sheep Husbandry Department for organizing the important workshop to explore new opportunities, and identifying necessary interventions to make the Sheep & Goat Husbandry sector more lucrative for the stakeholders.
“The outcomes from today's brainstorming session of Agricultural scientists, experts and tribal community members will be assessed objectively and incorporated in government policies to be implemented on the ground for benefit of all the stakeholders,” he said.
“Our aim is to increase livestock productivity and production in a sustainable manner and focus on untapped potential for the export and value added products,” he added.
The spokesperson further said that the LG highlighted the reforms introduced by the government for modernization and promotion of the sheep farming sector and strengthening of commercial activities and output of the sector which provides the means of livelihood to about 12 lakh families in the UT.
“High genetic potential breeds of sheep, exotic breeds for crossbreeding, marketing facilities and preventive mechanisms of endemic disease problems will bring overall improvement in the sheep rearing sector and improve socio-economic status of a vast majority of our livestock producers,” Sinha said.
“Top level Apex Committee under the Chairmanship of Dr Mangala Rai, a top scientist and a policy maker of the country has already been constituted for holistic development of agriculture and allied sector. The committee has started the deliberations and is on a job to present a futuristic road map in the next three months for inclusive growth, value addition, marketing strategies and sustainable production of the sector,” he added.
Besides the LG, his advisor Rai Bhatnagar and Additional Chief Secretary, Agriculture Production Department, Atal Dulloo, Vice-Chancellor, SKUAST Kashmir Prof Nazir Ahmad Ganai, Secretary to Government, Tribal Affairs Department Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary and other officials also spoke on the occasion.
• 1000 Sheds For Livestock Of Tribal Community.
• Rs 1L Each To 1500 SHGs For Machines and Skilling
• Rs 3L Each For 50 SHGs For GenSet, Solar Power Machines
• Common Facilitation Centre For Wool production In Jammu, Kashmir
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