Principal Secretary Animal, Sheep Husbandry and Fisheries, Dr. Asgar Hassan Samoon today launched nationwide livestock artificial Insemination programme in Jammu division here at a function attended by a large number of cattle rearers. The programme was organized by the Directorate of Animal Husbandry.Addressing the farmers, Dr Samoon said that this centrally sponsored flagship programme would be carried out in 10 districts of Jammu Division with the target to cover 100 villages in each district. “Over 200 cows will be inseminated with genetically upgraded serum free of cost under the programme to bring Artificial Insemination coverage to 50 percent in these districts” he added.The Principal Secretary asked for setting the target to double the milk production and farmers income by 2024. He said that the Animal Husbandry Department is conducting base line survey in dairy sector in Jammu and Kashmir through National Dairy Development Board to assess the present status of the sector and to plan a concrete action to achieve the goal of doubling of milk production in JK.The Principal Secretary informed the farmers about different centrally sponsored beneficiary-oriented schemes like Dairy Entrepreneurship Development Scheme (DEDS) to provide cows in each district for encouragement of progressive farmers in development of dairy sector.
Meanwhile, he also inaugurated a poultry sale booth for the convenience of public and farmers on the no profit basis and distributed free of cost medicine kits to the farmers for the general health of their animals.The event also witnessed an Exhibition for the farmers with stalls displaying various activities, schemes of the department of Animal, Sheep Husbandry.Dr Samoon also distributed insurance cheques among the farmers for loss of animal.Later, the Principal Secretary visited the Central Veterinary Hospital, (CVH) Talab Tillo and chaired a meeting of the hospital authorities. He enquired about medical care and other facilities being provided to the Animals in the hospital. He asked the Superintendent of Hospital, Dr Davinder Singh Sudan to take all necessary steps to provide all medical facilities in the hospital to the welfare of the animals including cattle.Among others present were Director Sheep Husbandry, Jammu, Dr Sanjeev Kumar, Joint Director Farms, Dr Sunil, Joint Director Poultry, Dr Kohli, Technical Officers to Principal Secretary, Dr Asif Bashir besides officers and officials of Animal and Sheep Husbandry Department.