Minister for Animal, Sheep Husbandry and Fisheries Abdul Ghani Kohli today reviewed the progress made in the implementation of Dairy village project here at a meeting of senior functionaries of the concerned department.The project, in its pilot phase, envisages setting up five dairy villages under Doodh Yojana Scheme to promote dairy farming on modern lines through scientific intervention and provision of incentives to the stakeholders. 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 meeting was informed.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 stakeholders. The Minister underscored the need for effective implementation of the scheme adding the project would go a long way in reviving the dairy farming, benefit the population traditionally associated with it and achieve self sufficiency in dairy products.
He asked the concerned functionaries to ensure that the benefits percolate down to the targeted population adding that there is urgent need for generating mass awareness about this scheme.Director Sheep Husbandry, Jammu Dr. Ashok Kumar Gupta, Director Animal Husbandry, Jammu Dr S K Abrol, Joint Director Fisheries S S Sharma, Joint Director Poultry K K Bhardwaj, Joint Director (Extension) Sheep Husbandry Dr Sanjeev Kumar besides other senior officers of the Animal, Sheep and Fisheries were present in the meeting. The Minister also sought details about the special camps being organized by the Animal Husbandry department for providing veterinary services to the nomads who are migrating towards higher reaches with their livestock. He asked the department to extend quality services to the nomads who are keepers of unique legacy of dairy and sheep farming. The meeting was informed that the department has deployed special veterinary teams along all migratory routes to administer dosing and vaccination to the sheep and livestock of nomads. “The nomads are also given tips about the precautions to be taken to protect their livestock during the migration” the meeting was told.
Meanwhile, reviewing the progress of different schemes, the Minister was apprised that out of allocated amount of Rs 1.40 crore Capex budget for the year 2016-17, the Animal Husbandry Department Jammu has spent an amount of Rs 1.27 crore till ending March 2017 under different schemes including creation of infrastructure for the department.
It was given out in the meeting that under various centrally sponsored schemes, an amount of Rs 2.55 crore was provided to the department for the financial year 2016-17, of which Rs 2.22 crore stands expended during the last financial year. In addition, the department has registered 65% expenditure under NABARD during last financial year.Regarding Sheep Husbandry, the Minister was informed that 214.774 lakh kg mutton and 46.643 lakh kg wool production was recorded in Jammu division alone till ending March, 2017.The meeting was further informed that under the health cover programme, 78.682 lakh dosing and 16.757 lakh vaccinations were conducted to protect sheep and goat from various diseases.It was also given out in the meeting that about 3386 high quality rams and 448 bucks were distributed by the department among private flocks for cross-breeding purpose during last year.Under State Sector, 27 Sheep Farms of 50 Ewes each under Mini Sheep Farm Scheme and under centrally sponsored scheme RKVY, 11 units of 25 sheep each and 20 units of 10 Ewes each were established in Jammu division for generating employment for unemployment youth.With regard to acquaint the farmers with latest technical knowhow, 135 demonstrations and 6 Kissan Ghostis were organized by the department.