Minister of State for Forest, Animal, Sheep Husbandry, Cooperative and Fisheries, Mir Zahoor Ahmad today said that government is working on a proposal to establish a mega Hatchery Plant to give poultry faming a boost in the State.He said a Detailed Project Report (DPR) would be formulated and submitted to for approval and funding. Chairing a meeting of the officers of Animal, Sheep Husbandry Departments here today, Mir Zahoor reviewed the pace of progress of various works under taken under these sectors. The Minister said that the state is lacking in poultry and egg production and there is a huge monopoly of rates in the market. He said it is the need of the hour to fill the gap and establishing of a mega Hatchery Plant in the State will greatly help in meeting the demands for poultry and eggs.The Minister also sought feedback on various issues including conduct of Departmental Promotion Committee meetings, regularization of promotions, referring of vacancies to recruitment agencies and pace of progress of ongoing works.
It was given out in the meeting that the process for importing Ram sheep has been started and for the purpose a DPR of Rs 3 crore has already been submitted to the concerned quarters. The Minister asked the Sheep Department to go for high quality multipurpose merino ram, taking the agro climatic condition of J&K State in consideration.It was informed in the meeting that 4.5 crore Day Old Chicks (DOC) are produced in the Kashmir division and 2.5 crore (DOC) imported per year, while Jammu division produces 1.5 crore DOCs per year.It was informed in the meeting that of 77 Veterinary Surgeons posts, 40 are in position.The Minister asked for close monitoring of existing poultry units and sheep farms with special focus on cleanliness and hygiene in and around the units.The meeting was attended by Commissioner Secretary, Animal Sheep Husbandry and Fisheries, R K Bhagat, Director Animal Husbandry Kashmir, Director Animal Husbandry Jammu, Director Sheep Husbandry Jammu and other Senior Officers of Animal and Sheep Husbandry Departments.