Minister for Animal and Sheep Husbandry, and Fisheries, Abdul Gani Kohli Tuesday stressed upon the officers of the Department to redouble their efforts to make the State self-sufficient in poultry production. The Minister was chairing a meeting of senior officers of Poultry Wing of the Department here today to review its functioning.The Minister directed the officers to formulate a detailed paper project plan for enhancing local poultry production by the farmers which would be taken up with the Government of India for necessary funding. He said the poultry sector would bring a revolution in changing socio economic condition of the people especially in rural areas.The Minister stressed the need for augmenting existing poultry industry so that landless and marginal farmers can make their living out of poultry rearing. He was informed that 6.00 crore day-old-chicks are being imported per anum which are being kept in hatcheries at Hariparbat and Mattan.
The Minister exhorted the concerned to redouble their efforts for increasing poultry production and to ensure that the import of 6.00 crore chicks is reduced by producing our own production. He directed them that the two non operational hatcheries at Sopore and Shopian are made operational.The Minister was briefed that Hariparbat Hatchery of the Department is best for chick breeding with the intake capacity of 25000 chicks but only 2300 chicks and reared at the Hatchery at present.The Minister was informed that in order to maintain Low Input Technology (LIT) Parent Stock Birds, a twin projects at Broiler Production, Poultry Project, Hariparbat and Poultry Project IPDP Mattan, for which a tentative action plan amounting to Rs 2.80 crore on account of feed and allied components has been submitted to Centre for the funds.The Minister directed the officers to keep sufficient stock of poultry birds available on the eve of Eid-ul-Fitr and on other festive days at reasonable rates. He stressed upon them to ensure market checking to keep a check on hoarding and profiteering for the convenience of the people.Commissioner Secretary Animal and Sheep Husbandry, Director Animal Husbandry Kashmir and other senior officers were present in the meeting.