Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Baseer Ahmad Khan today convened a meeting to review the progress functioning and Sheep and Animal Husbandry departments.Director Sheep Husbandry, Director Animal Husbandry, Joint Directors, Deputy Directors and all District officers of Sheep and Animal Husbandry Departments were present in the meeting. On the occasion, the Div Com was informed through a detailed power-point presentation that Kashmir division has about 20.70 lakh total Sheep & Goat population and 30.61 lakh kgs Wool production. It was also given that as many as 71600 Farmers are associated with Sheep farming.The div com was further informed that annual Mutton production is about 108 lakh kgs against the demand of 297 lakh kgs in the valley, while as total income from the sector on account of Mutton, Wool and Manure is Rs 510 crore. During last six years 1800 private Sheep & Goat farms have been established under Mini Sheep (State sector), RKVY (Centrally sponsored scheme) and Tribal sub plan (District plan) to boost the employment opportunities in the valley.
Div Com directed the officers of the Sheep Husbandry department to point-out successive achievements in each block and hold seminars in every nook and corner to highlight these successive stories to the sheep breeders with aggressive advertisements. He directed District Sheep Husbandry officers to point out the deficiencies and potential in their respective districts and submit the report to your concerned Deputy Commissioners within fifteen days.The Div Com also passed directions to all Deputy Commissioners to identify 5 marlas of land for Sheep Extension centers in every district.Div Com cited the example of other states where sheep rearing is a profitable business and the same model can be replicated in Kashmir. He said that the climate and geography of the State is also very favorable for the progress of the sector.While reviewing the functioning of Animal Husbandry Department, officer informed the Div Com through a power-point presentation that Kashmir division has 13 lakh cattle, cross breed calves 2.3 lakh, 3.50 crore broiler and 21 lakh backyard poultry population. Similarly annual production of poultry meat is 363 lakh kgs, eggs 191 million and milk production 1445 metric tons which contributes Rs 5113 crore to the State economy.
The meeting was also informed that under centrally sponsored scheme, Milk villages will be constituted in every block and in future milk ATMs will be installed across the state.Div Com directed all district Animal Husbandry officers to prepare a DPR for Demonstration centers in each district and submit it to concerned Deputy Commissioners within 15 days. He said through these Demonstration centers information regarding modern and scientifically proven rearing knowledge shall be given to the cattle breeders. He also said that Department should frame a parameter for the milk villages so that actual area will get the benefit of this scheme.The Div Com also asked the district officers of the both the Departments to hold regular meetings with their concerned Deputy Commissioners for the early redressal of their grievances in case of land acquisition and newly constructed infrastructure.The Divisional Commissioner stressed upon both the Departments to improve the overall functioning and progress as these sectors are important pillar of the State economy.