Principal Secretary, Animal & Sheep Husbandry, Navin Kumar Choudhary, today inaugurated 'Pashudhan Vyapar Mela’ at RP Check post, Lakhanpur.Secretary, Cooperatives Department, Yasha Mudgal was the guest of honor on the occasion.Terming 'Pashudhan Vyapar Mela' being held every month at Lakhanpur as landmark decision, Naveen Choudhary said the step will help Jammu and Kashmir in a big way to achieve the target of becoming self sufficient in milk production. He said after the easing out of departmental schemes dairy sector witnessed gradual shift as over ten thousand new dairy units have been opened in last two years.He said 'Pashudhan Vyapar Mela' is aimed at to provide best breed of livestock within the territory of Jammu and Kashmir and to save time and money of the farmers who otherwise have to venture out in other states to get quality livestock. He said the ultimate aim was to provide new avenues to the farmers so that the objective of doubling farmer’s income can be achieved.Navin Choudhary said over 50% subsidy is being given under all major schemes of Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry, Poultry and allied sectors.
He said against an allocation of Rs 10 crore for subsidy to the farmers during last year, this year Rs 70 crore have been earmarked to cover more farmers.Secretary Cooperatives said Cooperative can be instrumental in bringing qualitative change in rural economy. She said several milk cooperatives have been registered in recent times. She appealed farmers to register and open Cooperative Societies in Agriculture, Dairy and other sectors.Deputy Commissioner, Kathua Rahul Yadav, also spoke on the occasion.Breeders from Punjab, Haryana with variety of breeds of Cow, Bufalloes alongwith breeders from different districts of Jammu and Kashmir besides scores of farmers were also present.During the fair, stalls of Animal and Sheep Husbandry, Cooperatives along with farming implements and medicine stalls from private players were also installed.On the occasion, Principal Secretary gave away Rs 41, 25,000/ as scheme subsidy cheque to the farmers under Integrated Dairy Development Scheme.DDC Vice Chairman, Raghunandan Singh; Director Animal Husbandry, Doifode Sagar Dattatray; Director Sheep Husbandry, Krishan Lal Sharma; President Lakhanpur MC, Ravinder Sharma and BDC Chairperson Mahanpur Raj Singh were also present on the occasion.