Govt takes reformative measures to unlock untapped potential of Animal Husbandry: Lt Governor

Srinagar, June 01: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha  on Thursday said the government is taking reformative measures to unlock the huge untapped potential of Animal Husbandry, Agriculture and allied sector in the UT.

He said the UT is strengthening its ties with other countries and states to transform the livestock and dairy sector and to improve farmers' remuneration.

The Lt Governor was speaking during the celebration of “World Milk Day” organized by the Animal Husbandry and Dairying Department and Agriculture Production Department of J&K UT.  Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Parshottam Rupala presided over the event

The Lt Governor shared the efforts of the UT Government for creating new opportunities and introducing interventions to make Animal Husbandry and Dairy Sector more lucrative for all the stakeholders.

Fodder production, improving wool quality and addressing issues like inbreeding are other focus areas of the government. We will become self-sufficient in fodder production with 80% fodder being grown locally, he further added.

 “Dairy makes an important contribution to prosperity of the society and to the well-being and economic activity of the farming families. The UT government attaches the highest importance to sustained increase in productivity and growth of dairy sector,” said the Lt Governor.

The Lt Governor highlighted the contribution of dairy sector in giving impetus to the rural economy and providing livelihood to a large population associated with the sector.

 “Dairy sector continues to play a vital role in Agriculture GDP and such deliberations will play a pivotal role in energising research and extension efforts and modifications required for livestock management and productivity enhancements,” the Lt Governor said.

Speaking on the Holistic Agriculture Development Program (HADP), the Lt Governor said the UT government is committed to create new avenues to farmers and youth entrepreneurs. He said J&K government’s aim is to write a new chapter in the history of animal husbandry, agriculture and allied sector of Jammu Kashmir.

Under the Holistic Agriculture Development Program, the UT government is launching an Integrated Dairy Development scheme that will not only provide social safety net to the farmers but also provide employment and entrepreneurship opportunities to the people, added the Lt Governor.

The Lt Governor shared the suggestions on financial inclusion of farmers and easy credit access to the farming community of J&K UT. He stressed on the need to make the banking system streamlined for the welfare of farmers.

We must identify the 25 potential projects of agriculture and allied sectors and rope in reputed universities and educational institutions to work out strategies through which these projects can fulfill the needs of the country. The Lt Governor cited the example of SKUAST which was recently directed to explore the possibilities of growing Tulip’s planting material in J&K instead of relying on imports. 

The Lt Governor urged the Government of India to make a list of PMUs for guiding the projects of the Agriculture sector and also called for considering J&K UT for International funding on the same pattern as received by other Himalayan States and UTs.

Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Parshottam Rupala while speaking on the occasion highlighted the initiatives like vaccination services; Mobile Veterinary Units, and other endeavours of the Government and the role of cooperatives in the growth of the dairy sector. He also lauded the Lt Governor led UT Administration for achieving unprecedented growth in Dairy, Agriculture and allied sector.

He said the celebration of World Milk Day in J&K is a significant opportunity to acknowledge the important contribution of dairy farmers, entrepreneurs and all stakeholders in the growth journey of the dairy industry.

Exchange of ideas during the two-day long summer meet will help in identifying new viable strategies for upgrading the technological capabilities of  livestock sector, significant interventions for dairy sector's productivity, processing and value addition, he added.