JAMMU: The structural changes and consolidation of different programmes for farm and non-farm population in the rural areas is nothing short of a revolution for rural J&K. The UT has also redefined the agriculture and horticulture business in the country with expanded operations and strong supply chain system, which had never happened in the last 70 years.
Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha made these remarks while attending the first-ever “Vishal Pashudhan Vyapar Mela” at Sports Stadium, Hiranagar in Kathua district.
Speaking on the occasion, the Lt Governor welcomed the farmers from other states to the mega Livestock Trade Fair.
“The first of its kind event in the UT will provide a major fillip to the Animal Husbandry sector with an additional source of income to the farmers. It is an effort on the part of the government towards providing a single platform for sale/purchase of high-quality livestock breeds that will strengthen J&K’s Dairy sector, besides exploiting the full potential of J&K in milk, fodder & mutton production, to cut down imports and bridge the demand and supply gap in the poultry sector, and generating employment by attracting new entrepreneurs,” observed the Lt Governor.
“The Mela will facilitate doubling the income of farmers through the adoption of best practices, genetic up-gradation of milch animals, latest technical interventions and proper management of high-quality breeds of milch animals.”
“Further, the hardships faced by farmers in the cumbersome purchase process of high-quality breeds from the adjoining states and their transportation to the destination district of UT of J&K will be eliminated as high-quality breeds of cows, buffaloes, sheep, goats, etc. from neighboring states of Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh etc. shall be displayed for sale & purchase, said the Lt Governor.
He also added that in addition, the related machinery of latest technology pertaining to Animal & Sheep Husbandry sectors including fodder management shall also be displayed and made available for the farmers and dairy entrepreneurs.
“The insurance of animals after sale/ purchase will also be facilitated by the department of Animal & Sheep Husbandry,” he added.
Terming Agriculture sector as the backbone of J&K’s economy, the Lt Governor stated that the government is making resolute efforts to develop this huge growth potential sector to double the income of the farmers and the other stakeholders involved in the Agriculture and allied sectors.
70% of our population is dependent on agriculture with around 76 lakh people being dependent on agriculture.
Quoting some instances of the exemplary work being done in the agriculture and horticulture production, the Lt Governor observed that a few years ago, a farmer produced roughly two kilograms of saffron from a hectare of the field; however, today 5 kg of saffron is being produced in one hectare.
Appreciating the efforts of the Agriculture Department, the Lt Governor said that the Government machinery is extending all-out support to the farmers to facilitate their socio-economic growth.
In order to realize the vision of our Hon’ble Prime Minister, the Government has kept a budget of Rs. 338 crore for Animal, Sheep, Fisheries Department this year to connect the farmers with commercial animal husbandry to exploit the full potential of the sector and ensure the socio-economic development of all stakeholders, the Lt Governor maintained.
In an effort to cut down imports and bridge the demand and supply gap in dairy and poultry sectors, double the income of farmers, and generate employment, the Government has launched Integrated Dairy Development Scheme.
Under this scheme, financial support is provided in the shape of 50% subsidy for the Establishment of dairy units, milk collection/chilling processing units, the establishment of market infrastructure and milk/milk-product transportation system, environment management of dairy farms.
The Lt Governor also made some valuable suggestions in respect of animal husbandry. He advised the officials to get the census of animals done for better planning and execution of development schemes.
Apart from farming, the biggest support for the farmers is their livestock. I sincerely hope that the farmers will benefit a lot from this Pashudhan Vyapar Mela. I am sure that by fulfilling the aspirations of the farmers, we will move forward in the direction of development, said the Lt Governor.
Lt Governor also expressed his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families which suffered loss in the Kishtwar cloudburst and assured every possible support of the J&K Government to the families affected by the natural calamity.
Lt Governor inspected various stalls displayed by the Agriculture and allied departments and farmers. The Lt Governor also handed over the subsidy cheques to the beneficiaries under various schemes on the occasion.
Earlier Navin Kumar Choudhary, Principal Secretary to the Government, Animal and Sheep Husbandry Department highlighted the major schemes in Animal and Sheep Husbandry aimed at making Jammu and Kashmir, self-sufficient in milk production, besides providing livelihood opportunities to the farmers to increase the farmers’ income.
