There is a need for popularization and conservation of indigenous breeds of cows as these are source of qualitative milk for the farmers and consumers for ages. People have always shown faith on indigenous breeds of cows and State government is committed to give boost to animal husbandry sector by providing best infrastructural and marketing facilities.This was stated by Animal Husbandry Minister Virender Kanwar while participating in the 25th meeting of ICAR Regional Committee held from 11 to 12 June, 2018 at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agriculture Science and Technology, Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir. The main objectives of the meeting was to review the status of agriculture research and education besides analyzing, discussing and making recommendations on the location specific problems of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Horticulture, Fisheries and Forestry peculiar in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttrakhand.The minister urged the need for high genetic merit indigenous bulls, embryos/semen straws. Director, Animal Husbandry, Uttrakhand assured to supply 45000 doses of semen straws of Red Sindhi breed with MSP of more than 4500 litres within a month. He also assured to supply embryos as per demand. In response to the issue of Sahiwal semen straws raised by the Shri Kanwar, representative of NDRI, Karnal assured to supply HGM semen straws of Sahiwal breed and bulls in due course of time for sperm station at Palampur for upgradation of state’s cow population.
Virender Kanwar directed Vice Chancellor of Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya (CSKHPKV) Palampur to overcome the shortage of fodder by making compound feed blocks. He also said that a combined proposal by Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttrakhand for import of 40 rams and 200 Sheep of Ranbouillet and Merino sheep for each state may be prepared and taken up with centre government to tackle the problem of inbreeding in nucleus Sheep Breeding Farms. The Minister said that a sustainable module for operation Gosadans was developed by the CSKHPKV which will be made available for further action. He also said that goats of Changthangi breed will be procured from Ladakh of Jammu and Kashmir for providing to sheep breeders of Lahaul & Spiti for pashmina production.Governor of J&K Narinder Nath Vohra, Agriculture Minister J&K Mohamad Khalil Bandh, Animal and Sheep Husbandry Minister J&K Abdul Ghani Kohli, Special Secretary, Agricultural Research & Education and Secretary, ICAR, New Delhi Chhabilendra Roul and other dignitaries were also present in the meeting.