Minister for Animal, Sheep Husbandry and Fisheries Abdul Gani Kohli today said that five Dairy villages are being set up in J&K under Doodh Yojana Scheme.These include 2 in Jammu and one each in Kathua, Samba and Rajouri districts. The Animal Husbandry Department has already prepared a Detailed Project Report (DPR) and each project is estimated to cost Rs 1 crore, the Minister said.The Minister was speaking at a meeting convened here to discuss the project which is to be implemented on Gujarat Model.The aim of the project is to boast the income of the people associated with the cattle rearing and encourage local youth to take up dairy farming on commercial lines, he said.The Minister said that 50 persons in each village will be benefited under the programme. He said self-help groups would be created and the department will provide them necessary training and technical knowhow.Under the scheme, the Government would also provide financial assistance and subsidy to the locals interested to establish dairy units.
It was informed that the project has been formulated on scientific lines and all modalities have been projected in proposal. The meeting was informed that an amount of Rs 5 crore is already available with the department under Dairy Development Programme.The Minister asked the concerned to ensure that deserving people are benefited under the project. He also directed them to ensure that the health coverage and breeding coverage should be given to the stakeholders at their doorstep.Mr. Kohli said a team of high level officers from J&K would visit Gujarat to study the model for successful implementation of the programme. The team will also meet various dairy entrepreneurs and stakeholders and get feedback on their working.The Minister underscored the need for creating awareness among the people about the latest techniques in dairy farming so that the maximum lot is benefited by the policies and programmes of the Government.The meeting was attended by the Secretary, Animal and Sheep Husbandry, Director Animal Husbandry Jammu and other officers of Animal and Sheep Husbandry departments.