Re-affirming his commitment to boost live-stock production in the State, Minister for Animal, Sheep Husbandry and Fisheries, Abdul Gani Kohli, today said the Government is planning to set up Sheep Mandis in Sangrama and Kalakote constituencies on pilot basis.The Minister said this while addressing the officers at a meeting convened to review the measures being taken by the Department for increasing the live-stock population in Sangrama Constituency here today.Minister for Horticulture, Syed Basharat Bukhari, was also present in the meeting.It was given out that first of its kind Sheep Mandi would be established at Shrakwara in Baramulla soon.The Ministers said the aim and objective of setting up such Mandies is to give flip to live-stock especially sheep and goat rearing so that the State is made self reliant.Stressing on minimizing the import of live-stock including chickens, eggs from other states, the Ministers urged farmers in general and youth in particular to choose live-stock rearing as a career option so that it will not only change the socio-economic profile of the people but will provide employment avenues to a major chunk of unemployed youth.
They stressed upon the youth to come forward and avail the benefits of the schemes launched by the Government for increasing the live-stock in the State.The meeting was informed that the Department envisages to create Model Sheep Villages at Cluster level in the State and two such villages are being created in Sangrama and Kalakote Constituencies on pilot basis. Kohli said that Model Sheep Villages would give boost to livestock production, increase employment generation besides resulting in organized sheep farming in and around the village.The meeting was informed that the work on Rs 2. 28 crore Duck Breeding Farm at Haritaar is in full swung and would be completed shortly. The Minister directed the concerned officers to identify suitable land for another Duck Breeding Farm at Hajin so that the funds are arranged accordingly.The Horticulture Minister asked the Director Fisheries to immediately visit to Haritaar, Ningli and address the problems being faced by fisherman population in the area.Commissioner Secretary Animal, Sheep and Fisheries R.K. Bhagat, Director, Animal Husbandry Kashmir Dr. Nazir Ahmad, Director Sheep Husbandry Kashmir Muhammad Ramzan Sheikh, Director Fisheries R N Pandita and other senior officers attended the meeting.