Minister of State for Forest, Environment, Animal & Sheep Husbandry, Fisheries and Cooperative, Mir Zahoor Ahmad, today visited the Poultry Project Hariparbhat here and took stock of its functioning. He also visited and inspected the Wool Board Office and Disease Investigation Laboratory at Nowshehra.While inspecting the Poultry Project Hariparbhat, the Minister was informed that the project has a standing capacity of about 60,000 chicks per month, adding that the Project produces quality day-old chicks at the hatchery for sale to poultry farmers and supplies chicks among progressive farmers after the chicks attained the age of one to three months.The Minister was informed that some 1.69 lakh day-old chicks have been produced at Hariparbhat and Mattan poultry farms so far during the current fiscal and that some 97406 table eggs and 8.20 lakh kilograms of poultry meat have been sold to government and private consumers so far during the current fiscal It was also said that over three thousand hatching eggs produced at the hatchery have been sold and supplied so far in the current year.Enquiring about details of training imparted to farmers at the Hariparbhat centre, the Minister was informed that 27 farmers have been trained so far in the year.
While taking stock of renovation works at the Hariparbhat Farm, the Minister was informed that a DPR worth Rs. 1.16 crore has been submitted to concerned quarters and that construction work on the project will be started in due course.Mir Zahoor called for increased efforts for increasing the hybrid livestock strength to meet rising demands for mutton, chicken and eggs in the State. He said increased livestock strength will also help neutralize capital outflow from the State.The Minister also stressed on establishment of Self Help Groups and holding mass awareness campaigns about related government schemes directed at the farming community. He also called for timely treatment and vaccination of livestock at all farms.He said livestock development has the potential to significantly contribute to the State economy considering the kind of agro-climatic conditions available in the State. He reiterated the government’s commitment to provide direct benefit to the farming community.
While inspecting the functioning of the J&K Wool Board, the Minister was apprised of several concerns. He said a Board of Directors meeting will be convened soon to look into genuine concerns of the Board employees. MLA Yawar Dilawar Mir, who was also present on the occasion, also assured the employees of redressing their concerns on priority.Later, the Minister visited the Disease Investigation Laboratory at Nowshera and inspected its various sections, including bacteriology lab, media and sterilization, parasitological lab, sheep pox section and virology lab. Seeking details, the Minister was informed that some 1.5 lakh vaccines are prepared annually at the Laboratory.Director Animal Husbandry Kashmir, Director Sheep Husbandry Kashmir, Managing Director J&K Wool Board and senior officers of Animal and Sheep Husbandry Departments accompanied the Minister during his visit.