SRINAGAR/BANDIPORA: Minister for Agriculture Production, Rural Development & Panchayati Raj, Cooperatives and Election Departments, Javid Ahmad Dar, today undertook a series of major initiatives aimed at strengthening the animal husbandry and poultry sectors in Jammu & Kashmir.
The Minister laid the foundation stone of the District Veterinary Hospital in Bandipora and later inaugurated the construction of Layer House–II at the Poultry Project, Hariparbat.
At Bandipora, the Minister was joined by MLA Bandipora Nizam-ud-din Bhat, MLA Sonawari Advocate Hilal Akbar Lone, MLA Gurez Nazir Ahmad Khan, Vice Chairperson DDC Bandipora Kousar Shafeeq, Deputy Commissioner Bandipora Indu Kawal Chib, Director Animal Husbandry Kashmir Mohammad Younis Sheikh, officers of allied departments, and a large gathering of locals.
Speaking at the event, Javid Ahmad Dar said the ₹3.5 crore hospital project, along with ₹50 lakh for equipment, would significantly enhance veterinary healthcare and animal welfare services in the district. He lauded the dedication of officers for holding the programme on a Sunday, calling it a reflection of the administration’s commitment to public service.
Emphasising the critical role of livestock in strengthening the rural economy, the Minister reaffirmed the Government’s resolve to bridge infrastructural gaps and improve facilities across Bandipora. He highlighted the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP), comprising 29 major projects aimed at sustainable growth in agriculture and allied sectors.
The Minister also stressed the revival of brown trout development and urged effective implementation of Mission YUVA for youth skill-building and entrepreneurship.
MLAs Nizam-ud-din Bhat, Nazir Ahmad Khan and Hilal Akbar Lone also addressed the gathering, calling for boundary walls, modern laboratories, additional staff, sheep extension centres, transit camps for shepherds, expanded veterinary centres, subsidised medicines, ambulance services, and more livestock infrastructure in remote areas. They noted that livestock-based entrepreneurship is rising rapidly and requires policy support.
The Minister inspected departmental stalls showcasing ongoing programmes and interventions and distributed sanction letters and cheques among HADP beneficiaries.
Later in Srinagar, Javid Ahmad Dar, accompanied by MLA Zadibal Tanvir Sadiq, laid the foundation stone of Layer House–II at the Poultry Project, Hariparbat.
Reviewing the poultry sector’s functioning, the Minister called for a holistic action plan to make the sector self-sufficient and a major driver of J&K’s economy. He reiterated the Government’s commitment to empowering farmers, enhancing local production, and creating robust livelihood opportunities through targeted interventions.
The upcoming Layer House–II will rear 1,900 parent stock birds and produce 1.70 lakh hatching eggs annually—significantly boosting the supply of high-quality layer chicks to farmers and field units across the region. The expansion is expected to bridge demand gaps and promote sustainable poultry production.
Both initiatives mark important steps toward strengthening the animal and allied sectors, with the Minister reaffirming the administration’s dedication to rural economic growth, farmer welfare and modernisation of livestock-related infrastructure.
