Minister for Animal and Sheep Husbandry and Fisheries, Abdul Ghani Kohli, on Thursday emphasized adoption of technological innovations to streamline working of sheep husbandry sector so that socio-economic conditions of the communities particularly farmers, nomads associated with livestock rearing would be improved.The Minister stated this while chairing a meeting held to review the functioning and progress of the department.Among others the meeting was attended by the Secretary, Animal/Sheep Husbandry and Fisheries Department, R.K. Bhagat, Director Sheep Husbandry, Dr. Sant Ram, Joint Director Sheep Husbandry, Dr. Sanjeev Kumar besides other senior officers.During the meeting, a detailed discussion was held on implementation of centrally sponsored schemes including Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojna (RKVY), Assistance to States For Control of Animal Diseases (ASCAD), National Livestock Mission (NLM), Establishment and Strengthening of existing Veterinary Hospitals and Dispensaries (ESVHD), Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF), Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA) besides other issues.
The Minister directed the concerned authorities to chalk out strategies to raise the scale of breeding, wool production, milk production etc. He also stressed on cross breeding with elite germplasm with the objective to improve the productivity of the livestock of the state especially in mutton, milk and wool sectors.
The Minister was apprised that under healthcare and expansion segments various preventive measures have been taken up to treat the livestock from killer diseases.While emphasizing the need to organize awareness camps in interiors of rural areas, the Minister said that it will help the people to get knowledge about the policies and schemes of the department. He also directed the officers for timely delivery of services to the farmers and breeders so as to achieve the targets set by the department.Mr. Kohli stressed upon rural youth to avail the benefits of the centrally sponsored schemes which is providing employment opportunities to unemployed youth and enabling them to start their own income generating units.The Minister further exhorted upon the officers to accelerate their activities during the downward migration so that the livestock may not suffer for the want of health benefits.Earlier, the Minister visited the ‘Gaushala’ at Jammu Kashmir Gou Raksha Samiti, Ambphala. He was accompanied by Secretary to Government, Animal/Sheep Husbandry and Fisheries Department and Directors Animal and Sheep Husbandry Jammu.The members of the Samiti demanded Veterinary Dispensary, doctor and adequate stock of medicines for Gaushala.The Minister assured them that their genuine demands would be redressed at the earliest.