Suhail Rather
Bandipora, March 05 (KNS) : The Jammu and Kashmir government on Wednesday said that Bandipora district produces 85,000 metric tons of milk annually, with 90% of the production being consumed locally and the remaining milk being processed and marketed through different channels.
The information was shared in response to MLA Bandipora Nizamuddin Bhat's question in the J&K Assembly regarding animal and sheep-rearing initiatives in the district.
According to the government, 15,000 litres of milk per day are collected from 102 dairy cooperative societies by JKMPCL and processed at the Chashma Shahi Milk Processing Plant. 8,000 to 10,000 litres per day are also processed by local units or transported to Srinagar and other districts, where it is either sold directly as loose milk or processed by private dairy companies.
Addressing the initiatives taken to promote animal and sheep rearing in Bandipora, the government said that various schemes are in operation. The Integrated Dairy Development Scheme (IDDS) provides incentives for setting up dairy units, milk processing, and marketing. Similarly, the Integrated Poultry Development Programme (IPDP) offers subsidies for broiler and layer farms, mother units, and free-range poultry farms, along with poultry meat processing incentives. The Integrated Sheep Development Scheme (ISDS) supports beneficiaries in establishing sheep and goat units on a subsidy or participatory basis.
Under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP), various sub-projects, including Dairy Development, Poultry Development, Mutton Project, and Fodder Project, are being implemented.
The government informed the Assembly that 2,237 cases have been approved in Bandipora under these initiatives.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelUnder the National Livestock Mission, subsidies of up to ?50 lakh are also provided for establishing sheep and goat units, fodder processing units, equine breeding, and poultry production units.
On the issue of animal health, the government said that extensive vaccination campaigns are being conducted to protect livestock from various diseases. As part of an eradication strategy, Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccinations are being carried out, alongside vaccinations for Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD), Brucellosis, Hemorrhagic Septicemia (HS), Black Quarter (BQ), Sheep Pox, Enterotoxemia (ET), and Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) under the Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) ASCAD and NADCP.
To improve veterinary healthcare services, Mobile Veterinary Units (MVUs) have been deployed in the district, providing doorstep services to farmers. These units can be accessed through the toll-free number 1962. The government also informed that veterinary mobile camps are set up in upper-altitude areas during seasonal livestock migration.
Artificial Insemination Centers across the district provide high-quality genetic breeding services, and awareness and fertility camps are conducted to educate farmers on disease prevention and best animal husbandry practices.
On bovine trade, the government said that Pashudhan Melas are being organized to help farmers select and purchase elite dairy animals within the Union Territory. Cattle dealers are also granted permission to transport livestock from outside Jammu and Kashmir, ensuring smooth trade and supply. (KNS)