Our goal is to increase livestock productivity and production in a sustainable way: LG

Scheme of social security pledges for sheep farmers; insurance coverage, disease prevention and control measures for livestock

Srinagar: Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha said on Saturday his administration aims to sustainably increase livestock production and focus on untapped potential in exports and value-added products.

Responding to requests and concerns from the tribal community, the LG announced that the UT government would construct 1,000 sheds for the tribal community’s livestock.

Opening a workshop here on “New Horizons in Sheep and Goat Husbandry within the Tribal Community: Challenges and Opportunities,” he said the Department of Tribal Affairs would provide financial assistance of Rs one lakh each to 1,500 groups mutual aid for wool shearers and skills.

As many as 50 self-help groups will each receive Rs 3 lakh for generators and solar-powered shears, he said.

According to an official press release, sharing the government’s plan to set up a social security scheme for sheep farmers and provide insurance coverage for livestock, he said that a comprehensive policy will also be prepared for health cards and health tracking for disease prevention. and control measures.

“Our goal is to increase livestock productivity and production in a sustainable way and focus on the untapped potential of export and value-added products,” he said.

The LG also highlighted the reforms introduced by the government for the modernization and promotion of the sheep farming sector and the strengthening of business and production activities of the sector which provides livelihoods to about 12 lakh families in the country. UT.

He said that J&K has the distinction of having the highest consumption of sheep and goat meat in the country and therefore to meet this huge demand, the state imports about 40% of its needs from other states. .

The UT government has partnered with New Zealand to develop a model sheep farming system through better husbandry practices, technology transfer, doubling wool and meat production, marketing, capacity building and securing additional income for sheep farmers, LG said.

J&K is also the second largest wool producer in the country and number one in terms of the quality of wool produced, the LG said, adding joint facilitation centers – one in each division of Kashmir and Jammu will be established for the collection, classification, sorting and packaging of wool.

In addition, a senior high-level committee, under the chairmanship of Mangala Rai, has been constituted for the holistic development of agriculture and related sectors.

The committee has started deliberations and is presenting a futuristic roadmap in the next three months for inclusive growth, value addition, marketing strategies and sustainable production of the sector, he added.

On this occasion, the LG also commended the J&K Kisan Development Advisory Board and the UT Sheep Department for organizing the important workshop to explore new opportunities and identify the interventions needed to make the sheep and goat farming sector more lucrative for stakeholders.

The results of today’s brainstorming session of agricultural scientists, experts and tribal community members will be objectively evaluated and incorporated into government policies to be implemented on the ground for the benefit of all stakeholders, a he declared.

LG Advisor Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar said the UT administration is committed to the holistic development of the tribal community in Jammu and Kashmir. The administration is taking revolutionary reforms and various social measures to improve the standard of living of members of the tribal community, he added.

Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secretary of the Agricultural Production Department, spoke about the department’s future goals to promote the sheep farming sector, encourage export and marketing and increase wool production. He said that all possibilities were being explored to exploit the vast potential of this sector.

Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganai, Vice Chancellor of SKUAST Kashmir, speaking on the occasion, remembered Padma Shri Dr. Ghulam Ahmed Bandey for his valuable contribution in the sheep and animal husbandry sector in Jammu Kashmir.

He also informed about the development of vaccine against foot rot by SKUAST Kashmir. The VC further shared details of various other programs, research activities carried out at the University to develop vaccines, and wool treatment policies.

Dr. Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, Secretary of the Department of Tribal Affairs, highlighted the projects and programs formulated for the welfare of the tribal people by the administration of UT over the past two years. He further informed that the 865 posts of Tribal Asha were sanctioned by the central government last month.

Bashir Ahmad Khan, director of sheep farming in Kashmir, highlighted the sheep farming achievements, services and programs. 446 sheep extension centers are functional across UT to facilitate sheep and goat farmers, he informed.

Abdul Hamid Wani, Board Secretary of J&K Kisan gave a detailed introduction to the workshop.

A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between SKUAST Kashmir and the Department of Sheep Husbandry for Footrot Vaccine to alleviate the suffering of animals and livestock owners.

Progressive farmers and entrepreneurs also shared their success stories. J&K Kisan Board Member Ch Mohammad expressed his gratitude to the administration for implementing progressive farmer-centric policies.

A detailed presentation was given on the evolution of sheep farming in Kashmir. A documentary on tribal peoples and the nomadic seasonal migrant population associated with sheep and goat herding was also shown.

The LG inspected the stalls set up by various stakeholders and also issued various publications including the “Sheep Farmers’ Journal” and the “Sheep Farmers’ Handbook” on this occasion.

CGPWA J&K calls on LG

A delegation from the Central Government Pensioners Welfare Association (CGPWA), J&K called Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha to Raj Bhavan here.

The delegation consisting of Mohammad Shafi Pandit, Chairman CGPWA J&K, Abdul Salam Bajad, Showkat Malik, GH Kango, GM Wani, Sayed Humayun Qaisar and Khurshid Ahmed Ganai briefed the LG on various issues and demands from Central Government Pensioners of Jammu and Kashmir , an official press release said.

He said the demands and issues put forward included the creation of assisted housing colonies for the elderly in PPP mode; expand cashless treatment facilities, set up separate CGHS counters for retirees in various tertiary hospitals; establishment of a day care center for retirees, adjacent to the Srinagar Welfare Centre, in addition to allocating housing at government rates for CGPWA and preferential access to utility facilities.

The LG assured the delegation to address their real issues and demands on merit.

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