KUPWARA: With the substantial increase in cattle population and employing modern interventions, the milk production in Kupwara district has reached an all-time high of 1539,50,000 liters per year generating an income of Rs 537 crores annually from milk alone making the district Kupwara milk Surplus, besides playing a crucial role in the growth of rural agri-economy.
Milk productivity in the Financial year 2021-22 in the Kupwara district was 1323, 20,000 liters which reached 1539,50,000 liters during the financial year 2022-23.
The total tagged cattle population of the Kupwara district is 1.58 lakh, while the number of poultry birds has touched 5.06 lakh with a total egg production of 1.45 crore per year.
Dairy farming is a major source of livelihood for many families in the Kupwara district and this sector is constantly growing with a focus on increasing milk production and improving the quality of milk, besides upgrading milk collection, processing, and marketing infrastructure with the intervention of centrally sponsored schemes.
The dairy sector in the Kupwara district is holding immense potential for the economy and provides employment opportunities, besides contributing to the local population’s well-being.
With the increased demand for dairy products and interventions of the government, significant growth is being recorded in this sector.
The use of artificial insemination (AI) in the dairy sector has been proven to be a highly effective tool to increase animal productivity. By using AI, dairy farmers are benefitting from the efficient use of high-quality bulls.
Dr. Mohammad Ashraf, Chief Animal Husbandry Officer (CAHO) Kupwara said that during 2022-23, 34731 artificial insemination procedures were done in the district while in 2021-22, 33866, AI procedures were done.
IDDS (Integrated Dairy Development Scheme) is a major scheme that not only focuses on providing financial assistance but also supports the dairy producer by providing milking machines, and bulk milk cooling units at 50% subsidy as well as other benefits. The scheme also provides Paneer Making Machine, Khoya Making Machine, Dahi Making Machine, Cream Separator Machine, Ice Cream Making Machine, Butter, and Ghee Making Machine, Milk Van, Milk ATMs, and DG Set, to aspiring entrepreneurs who try to create their start-ups in the dairy sector.
During the financial year 2022-23, under IDDS a total of 463 cases were sponsored in the Kupwara district, and 267 dairy units were established, thus providing employment avenues to around 500 unemployed persons. Established units are 3 times more than in the previous financial year.
Two Softy Making machines were established in Handwara by two unemployed youths. Moreover, two milk vans were availed by beneficiaries to supply the milk to far-off places in the district and the first of its kind a Milk ATM was established in Tangdar Karnah which is dispensing quality milk.
With the help of IDDS poor and marginal farmers of rural societies of the district, especially the women members of Bungus Valley FPO Hurdoona have benefitted.
Oagbal, Potushai, Rajwar, Karnah, and Khumryal have been declared as milk villages by the Animal husbandry department Kupwara.
A project under IPDP (Integrated Poultry Development Program) is being implemented in the district for the socio-economic upliftment of poor households. More than 100 rural farmers and youth benefited in the district. 3 new poultry farms were established and 22 already existing poultry farms were augmented with poultry equipment and automation.
In Kupwara district 98% of cattle have been vaccinated against FMD/LSD and 75% of the eligible female calves of 4-8 months of age have been vaccinated for Brucellosis during the financial year 2022-23.
Deputy Commissioner Kupwara, Dr. Doifode Sagar Dattatray has urged the educated youth of the district to come forward and take benefits from different CSS schemes and turn to Dairy and Poultry farming which have developed as important sources of livelihood and employment generation for rural areas of Kupwara district.
The efforts of the district administration headed by Deputy Commissioner Kupwara for the successful implementation of centrally sponsored schemes in the district for employment generation are being lauded by the public.
