Minister for Animal, Sheep Husbandry and Fisheries, Abdul Gani Kohli today distributed chaff cutters, feed supplements and also felicitated farmers for adopting advance farming for livestock rearing at a Farmers’ Awareness Camp organized by Animal Husbandry Department under ATMA scheme at Dairy Farm Belicharana today.Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said that Animal, Sheep Husbandry, Fisheries, Horticulture and Agriculture are the top priority sectors of the present government adding that government endeavours for making the State self reliant in milk production and poultry rearing for which several initiatives have been taken to increase these productions in the state.Terming dairying as a potential source of additional income for the people of the State, the Minister emphasized upon the farmers to make use of the advanced technology in dairy farming in a best way and ensure doubling their income by taking advantages of the government schemes.
Kohli said that government has taken several initiatives to improve the basic infrastructure in animal, sheep, fisheries and dairy sectors so that a large population of the state associated with these sectors is benefitted. He said these sectors are the key to over all development of the State and the government is committed to further improve it which will ultimately improve the socio-economic conditions of the weaker sections of the society.Hailing the performance of the Veterinary Doctors and para-vets especially during the border shelling, the Minister stressed upon them to redouble their efforts and work with utmost dedication and come up at the expectations of the people.Legislator Dr. Kishan Lal accompanied the Minister who also spoke on the occasion and highlighted the activities of the government.Earlier, the Minister inaugurated Quail Farm at Makhanpur in R S Pura area set up by a private entrepreneur Gurpreet Kour to boost the quail bird in Jammu. The Department has also introduced white colour quail in Dairy Farm Belicharana which has been imported from Japan.
The quails grow very fast and gain maturity faster than any other bird. The quail bird is a poultry bird which starts laying eggs within 6 to 7 weeks of age.The Minister enjoined upon the department to conduct awareness camps in nook and corner of the State to aware the people about the programmes and schemes launched by the central and state governments. He said the young generation especially unemployed youth can be lured towards the schemes so that after getting benefits they earn their livelihood.Enroute the minister paid obeisance at Shrine of Budanshah Chatai Peer Baba at Chatta village and prayed for peace and prosperity of the state and also interacted with the visitors at the shrine.Director Animal Husbandry Jammu and other Senior Officers of various departments including Animal Husbandry and allied departments were present on the occasion.