Marching towards attaining self sufficiency in milk production, the Department of Animal Husbandry Jammu, under the guidance of Principal Secretary to the Government Animal/Sheep Husbandry & Fisheries Department, Navin Kumar Choudhary, today organised first ever Pashu-Mandi in the UT of J&K at RP Check post, Lakhanpur (Kathua)Director Animal Husbandry Jammu Dr. Sagar D. Doifode inaugurated the event. He apprised the dairy farmers and breeders that it was the first kind of initiative taken by the department with active support from the district administration Kathua. He assured the farmers that such events will be made a regular feature in the region providing an ideal platform to our dairy farmers to obtain best dairy breeds of cows/buffaloes from the neighbouring states leading to enhanced milk production locally.District Development Commissioner Kathua Rahul Yadav complimented the department of Animal Husbandry Jammu for the initiative for achieving rural prosperity and also assured full support in organizing more such events in the future.The DC Kathua further said that a duty magistrate has been stationed at the RP Checkpost, Lakhanpur to facilitate the hassle free induction and transportation of the animals purchased at the mandi. Moreover a single-window clearance mechanism is also being established in this regard.
Speaking on the occasion, President Municipal Committee Lakhanpur appreciated the efforts of the Animal Husbandry department and extended his support in the form of logistics and other infrastructure to the extent possible.Farmers from other states as well as from the UT also spoke on the occasion and expressed gratitude towards the department of Animal Husbandry for taking such initiatives of farmer welfare. Around 400 good quality cattle/ buffaloes were brought by the breeders/sellers from the neighbouring states to the mandi. Local Dairy farmers especially beneficiaries of the ‘Integrated Dairy Development Scheme’ were seen purchasing the animals of their choice at the event .Extension & Publicity Wing of the Animal Husbandry Department Jammu also put up an Awareness Stall during the mandi and distributed useful literature among farmers.Seeing the response from the farmer community, the Director Animal Husbandry announced to extend the Pashu-mandi for one more day.Joint Directors, Chief Animal Husbandry Officers, Senior officers and staff from the Animal Husbandry Department Kathua besides a large number of farmers were also present on the occasion.