Baramulla/Ganderbal: Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Parshottam Rupala, on Thursday visited Baramulla and reviewed the implementation of Centrally Sponsored Schemes in the district.
The Union minister was informed that district Baramulla produces 19.50 crore litres of milk annually which makes the district milk surplus. It was revealed that 368 cases were sponsored under Integrated Dairy Development Scheme (IDDS) in the current financial year, of which, 270 units have been sanctioned thereby generating employment avenues for 286 youth of the district, an official press release informed.
It said the Union minister said that norms have been relaxed so that more youth could avail the benefits under IDDS. Also, ample employment avenues are being created besides scaling up the livestock production in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, he added.
While highlighting the achievements made under Dairying and Sheep Husbandry, it was given out that 20.05 lakh kg of mutton was produced against the target of 20.13 lakh kgs in the district.
The meeting was informed that the district has scaled up the fish production from 915 tonnes in 2020-21 to 1685 tonnes in 2022-23.
According to the press release, the minister lauded the efforts of district administration for the successful implementation of centrally sponsored schemes in the district. He said that livestock is the most important sector in the economy of Jammu and Kashmir with huge potential of employment generation.
Meanwhile, the minister inaugurated three mobile Veterinary Clinic Vans and six bikes for carrying out artificial insemination and other treatment of the livestock at the doorsteps of the beneficiaries.
On the occasion, the minister distributed sanction letters among the beneficiaries of fisheries, dairy, and sheep farming units
Later, the minister held interaction with the District Development Council, Municipal Council, and other PRIs of the district.
Deputy Commissioner Baramulla, Dr Syed Sehrish Asgar, briefed about the profile of the district.
DDC chairperson, Safina Beigh, apprised the Union Minister of the ongoing development works in the district and put forward several demands including the reconstruction of the Trout rearing unit at Bella Boniyar.
During the day, the minister also visited Frozen Semen Project Ranbirbagh, Ganderbal where he laid the foundation stone for Frozen Semen Station (FSS) approved at the cost of Rs 21.63 crore under Rashtriya Gokul Mission.
On the occasion, the minister was briefed about the financial layout of the project and facilities to be available in Frozen Semen Station including a sterilization room, AV sterilization room, Microbial Laboratory of QC, Freezing Room, Quality Control Laboratory and other requisite utilities.
Minister visited various sections of the semen center and inspected bull sheds. He was briefed that the current semen station is producing around 7 lakh doses of Frozen Semen Straws (FSSs) per year to cater to the demands of about 800 government artificial insemination centers and around 400 private AI workers in the twin UTs of J&K and Ladakh.
While inspecting bull sheds, the minister was informed that currently High Generic Merit breeding bulls are housed in the breeding bull farm viz Holstein Friesian, Jersey, and Red Sindhi.
Meanwhile, the minister also interacted with staff/casual labours who apprised him of various issues confronting them. He assured that all their genuine demands will be looked into and fulfilled on priority.
Speaking on the occasion, the minister said that the Ministry of Animal Husbandry, Fishing, and Dairying is committed to augmenting the production of Frozen Semen Project Ranbirbagh to cater to the growing demand for FSSs. In this regard, Union Government has approved a project worth Rs 61.63 crore, of which, Rs 6 crore stand released. He added that after the completion of the project, it will not only cater to the local demand but will also export the FSSs. He said that with the completion of the project, the production of milk will be increased due to breed improvement and will give a boost to the income of the animal-rearing community.
