Srinagar: Minister for Agriculture Production, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Cooperatives and Election Department, Javid Ahmad Dar, on Thursday visited the Sheep Breeding Farm at Khimber and reviewed ongoing breeding programmes and developmental activities.
During the visit, the minister stressed the need for scientific and transformative interventions to strengthen the sheep sector in Jammu and Kashmir and enhance productivity to achieve greater self-sufficiency in mutton production.
Highlighting the government’s Embryo Transfer Technology (ETT) programme, Dar said the establishment of ETT laboratories across districts would enable rapid multiplication of superior germplasm and accelerate genetic improvement in sheep breeds. He noted that the Cabinet has approved the establishment of 20 ETT laboratories, one in each district, as a major initiative in this regard.
The minister also emphasised the scientific utilisation of high-genetic-merit imported breeds, including Texel and Dorper, to strengthen local breeding programmes. He said efforts should focus on transferring superior genetic traits into locally adapted sheep populations to improve meat productivity and support the domestic mutton sector.
Dar directed the department to ensure scientific selection, conservation and multiplication of quality germplasm and its wider dissemination among farmers. He also called for a transparent and scientifically designed standard operating procedure (SOP) for allocation of breeding sheep to farmers to ensure objective beneficiary selection and effective utilisation of superior breeding stock.
Emphasising the role of youth in the sector, the minister said modern sheep husbandry offers significant opportunities for entrepreneurship, employment generation and strengthening rural livelihoods. He directed officials to provide aspiring young farmers with training, technical guidance and handholding support.
Officials informed the minister that the Khimber farm maintains fine-wool and specialised breeds, including imported and Australian lines, besides cross-bred varieties such as Kashmir Merino. The farm also supports local breeding programmes through the distribution of quality breeding rams.
Dar said the combined focus on district-level ETT infrastructure and high-genetic-merit breeding programmes should lead to measurable improvements in sheep productivity and help Jammu and Kashmir move towards greater self-reliance in mutton production.