Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Oct 9: Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo today chaired a high-level meeting of the Agriculture Production Department (APD) to review the measures being taken to enhance milk and mutton production across the Union Territory.
The meeting was attended by Additional Chief Secretary (ACS), Agriculture Production Department, Shailendra Kumar; Vice Chancellor, SKUAST-Jammu; Managing Director, HADP; Managing Director, Dairy Development; Directors of Agriculture and Sheep Husbandry from both Jammu and Kashmir divisions; and other senior officers of the department.
During the meeting, the Chief Secretary underscored the need to create replicable success stories in these sectors to inspire public participation and entrepreneurship.
He observed that the region, being primarily a consumer state, offers a significant market for milk, mutton, and their processed products. Even in catering to local demand there exists vast potential in exploring commercial expansion and export of its value-added products.
He maintained that the UT must move beyond basic packaging and branding. The focus should be on scientific processing and value addition that can yield high-demand products and sustainable livelihoods. He urged local entrepreneurs to unlock the potential of the region’s dairy and livestock sectors for finding the gainful employment.
While speaking in this meeting the ACS, APD, Shailendra Kumar, gave a comprehensive overview of the present status and consumption patterns of milk and mutton in J&K. He noted that dairy products form part of the daily diet across the UT, while mutton consumption is among the highest in the country, creating steady market demand.
The Chief Secretary encouraged the Agriculture Production Department for its proactive initiatives and directed it to work in mission mode to transform both dairy and sheep husbandry sectors into engines of rural growth and employment generation.
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