Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 19: Minister of State for Animal and Sheep Husbandry, Nazir Ahmad Gurezi today said that keeping in view the primary importance of livestock in the State’s economy, the Government has rolled out a comprehensive policy with focus on genetic up-gradation of indigenous livestock.
The Minister was replying to the discussion on the Demand of Grants for the Departments of Animal and Sheep Husbandry in Legislative Assembly today.
The Minister said that the contribution of late Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah will be remembered for ever for the vision he had for strengthening and creating infrastructure under Animal and Sheep sectors.
Listing the achievements registered during the last fiscal, the Minister informed that two Liquid Nitrogen (LN2) Plants have been approved for the State, one each at Jammu and Kashmir. He said this will minimize expenditure on the import of liquid nitrogen and save public exchequer. He said 19th livestock census and breed survey has now been completed in the State, adding that a target of 28000 animals has been fixed to be brought under Livestock Insurance Scheme (LIS).
The Minister said that Artificial Insemination registered increase of 67% from 2007-08 to 2012-13 and corresponding increase of 48% in the induction of Cross breed calves annually from 2007-2008. He said this translates to induction of 1.18 lakh CB female calves on an average annually. The Milk production in the State has crossed 20 lakh MTs annually, ending 2012-13 as against 15.48 lakh MT in 2007-08.
Mr. Gurezi said that due to the sustained efforts of the Government there is an increase in last five years of 37% in production of day old chicks in Government hatcheries. He said National Animal Disease Reporting System has been launched at district, division and State level with a Central Monitoring Unit for prompt reporting and feedback through 158 nodes adding that this will ensure online reporting of diseases.
Referring to employment generation, the Minister said that the Department has introduced various employment generation schemes like Dairy Entrepreneurship Development Scheme (DEDS), Venture Capital Fund Scheme for Poultry Development, Establishment of Sheep and Goat units under National Mission for Protein Supplements, Mini Sheep Farm, Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) and Integrated Development of Small Ruminants and Rabbits (IDSRR). He said 3138 dairy units under DEDS have been established with disbursement of Rs. 26.701 crore as subsidy.
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