Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR June 10: Minister for Animal, Sheep Husbandry and Fisheries Abdul Ghani Kohli today said that the ultimate goal of the Animal Husbandry Department is to enhance the milk production in the State.
On Demand of Grants for Animal and Sheep Husbandry and Fisheries Departments, Kohli said that the department has established vast network of veterinary centers and have also established modernized labs at Jammu and Srinagar for providing veterinary healthcare facility to the livestock and for genetic upgradation of the local breed besides providing medicines on subsidized rates.
Kohli said that the milk production has increased to 24.00 lakh metric tons during 2015-16 which was earlier recorded as 20.22 lakh metric tons in 2012-13. He said that it was due to the efforts of the department and intervention of various schemes that the production of milk has increased despite the decrease in cattle population.
He said that the department will try to frame up some schemes which will have incentives for unemployed youth so that fresh investments in the sector are attracted. “Through the existing schemes more than 1800 units of 2 to 10 cows have been established during the last three years and these have been paid subsidy of Rs.8.71 cr through banks,” he added.
Regarding poultry, the Minister said that the sector is one of the areas which has lot of scope to be developed. “The production in poultry meat within the State has increased from 431 lakh kgs in 2007-08 to 640 lakh kgs during 2015-16,” he said.
The Minister said that there is a huge demand of eggs in the State and as per the rough estimates only 32% of the demand is being met locally and the remaining is being met from outside the State. “Once the farming activity improves the availability of eggs shall also increase. The department is making efforts to further give boost to the sector”, he added.
About Sheep Husbandry, Kohli said that the main focus is on increase in mutton production locally so that imports are reduced. “The mutton production within the State during 2007-08 was 272.10 lakh kgs and same has reached to 321 lakh kgs during 2015-16 against total demand of 555 lakh kgs. “At present against the total estimated demand for mutton within the State 58% is being met locally and only 42% is being imported. The focus shall be to further reduce the imports”, he added.
Later, the House passed grants of Animal, Sheep Husbandry & Fisheries, for the year 2016-17, which were moved by the Minister, amounting to Rs 577.92 crore with voice vote.
Earlier, while speaking on the discussion on grants, Aijaz Ahmad Mir said that sheep farms be set up in pastures in the State to enhance mutton production. Dilip Parihar said that for last three years no subsidy has been provided to breeders in his constituency. He demanded insurance cover for poultry farms so that the growers don’t suffer losses.
G M Saroori said that Government should use new technologies to improve Animal and Sheep Husbandry sector. He demanded that Government should send teams for training. He demanded improvement of fishery hatcheries in his area.
Mubarak Gul said that mutton production should be increased in the State so as to meet the demand of local consumption. Noor Mohammad said that Government should give priority to this sector as dairy products are needed on daily bases in every household.
Ravinder Raina said that the department has no doctors and fourth class employees of the department are treating the live stock. Viqar Rasool said that for last 10 years due to the tunneling and four-lanning of National Highway the trout has perished in the streams due to chemical pollution. The companies don’t use filters that could have saved the trout.
Hakeem Yaseen said that the animal and sheep husbandry sector has been ignored and demanded that Government should strengthen the veterinary centres. Akbar Lone said that Government should encourage the unemployed youth for setting of sheep and dairy farms.
M Y Tarigami said that this sector is very important and it needs focus of the Government. “This is a big sector and it has been ignored when it can tackle the unemployment problem”, he added. Bashir Ahmad Dar held Governments responsible for lack of attention towards this sector.
Majid Paddar demanded holding of awareness camps for breeders and more veterinary centres while as
Jeevan Lal said that major concern is the less budgetary support for this sector. Deldan Namgyal demanded that the fodder be provided for yak in his constituency and a yak breeding farm.
Sheikh Ishfaq Jabbar said that the youth need to be involved in live stock breeding while as Shah Mohammad Tantray said that this sector has been ignored. Usman Majid demanded transportation for livestock of bakerwals from one place to other. He said that Government should take the matter of grazing with army as they are not allowing this activity in certain areas.
Javed Rana demanded introduction of new species of live stock in the State and insurance scheme for the farmers. Yawar Mir said this sector needs to be promoted as it will generate both employment and help in economic growth. Khalil Bhand said less attention is given to this sector, adding more funds should be allocated for this sector.
Neelam Kumar Langeh demanded animal insurance scheme while as Raja Manzoor said border fencing has adverse impact on the movement of livestock and demanded subsidy for the poor growers on medicine for their live stock.
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