Principle Secretary Transport and Animal, Sheep Husbandry, Fisheries Department, Asgar Samoon today chaired a meeting to finalize the Livestock Breeding Policy in the State.On the occasion, Samoon said that the livestock plays an important role in the agricultural economy and provides food security, employment opportunities, social and financial security to the farmers at large. He said that Livestock Breeding Policy would provide a livelihood support to a large part of rural population and help in developing this sector on modern lines.Director Education SKAUST Jammu, Dr Tasleem Ahmad, who is also chairman of Breeding policy Committee, elaborated the described importance of Livestock Breeding policy and its impact on future livestock productivity for different agro-climatic zones of State, during the meeting. He emphasized upon the role of area specific Livestock Breeding Policy for equitable development of all regions.Samoon stressed on considering Ladakh as gene pool reservoir as it inhabits most of distinct livestock breeds which are not found anywhere else in the country. It was also decided that departments should focus on breed conservation and propagation, and Agriculture Universities were directed for working on breed development and documentation.Samoon further said that ponies are most neglected species with regard to breed development and work needed to be done on this sector too. He said that Bakarwali breed of dogs shall also be popularized as sheep dog.The meeting was attended by Director Planning SKUAST Kashmir, Dr Nazir Ganai, Director, AHD Kashmir, Director SHD Kashmir, and other senior officers of the Animal and Sheep Husbandry Department.Director Education SKUAST-Jammu, Dr Tasleem Ganai, Director Extension SKUAST Jammu, Dr K S Risam, Dean SKUAST Jammu and Director SHD Jammu attended the meeting through video conferencing.