Poultry, Fisheries sectors have huge employment generation potential: Kohli

Inaugurates Common Facility Center at Khalsi Leh

KARGIL/LEH, SEPTEMBER 15:-Minister for Animal, Sheep Husbandry and Fisheries, Abdul Gani Kohli who is on a 4 day extensive visit of Kargil and Leh districts today said that establishment of Poultry and Fisheries sector has huge potential for employment generation.

This was stated by the Minister while chairing a high level meeting to review the working of the departments under his control at a meeting held at Kargil here today. Chief Executive Councilor Kargil Kacho Ahmad Ali Khan, Executive Councilor for Animal, Sheep Husbandry and Fisheries Aga Syed Hassan Armaan Moosavi, Director Animal Husbandry Muhammad Yusuf Chaproo, Director Sheep Husbandry Muhammad Ramzan Sheikh, Additional Deputy Commissioner Kargil Barkat Ali Lone Nizami besides concerned officers were also present in the meeting.

The Minister called upon the officers to closely monitor the performance of their departments to ensure time bound delivery of services and completion of projects well in time. He also called upon the veterinarians and other officers to work with missionary zeal and lay focus on creating mass awareness regarding various developmental schemes so that maximum numbers of people are in a position to avail the benefits of these schemes thereby raising their socio-economic status.

The Minister was apprised about the steps being taken to augment these sectors in the district and measures being taken to raise livestock.  It was given out that a 20 liter capacity Liquid Nitrogen Plant has been sanctioned at a cost of Rs 2.85 crore, a major project for cross breeding for conservation of yak at Rs 1.20 crore, fodder development programme at a cost of Rs 1.35 crore while as a project for Pashmina Development has been sanctioned at a cost of 8.25 crore.

The meeting was also informed that projects worth Rs 2.53 crore for strengthening, up gradation and modernization of Karakul Sheep Fram Kurbathang and Development of Pashmina Wool in Kargil district at a cost of Rs. 14.2 crore under National Livestock Mission (NLM) and Revised Wool Sector Schemes under Integrated Wool Development Programme (IWDP) at a cost of Rs. 12.23 crore, fodder development at a cost of Rs 7.50 crore besides development of Zanskari horse at a cost of Rs 40 lacs stand submitted to the Central Government which are expected to be sanctioned in near future.

Officers of Fisheries Department informed the meeting that artificial trout breeding has been introduced in the district for the first time this year  and 6 to 8 thousand seeds have been produced so far and with the completion of the hatchery at Damsna the production shall go up to around 1 lakh seeds.

The Minister directed the officers of Fisheries Department to conduct surveys for the establishment of fish farms in Sodh, Shakar Chiktan and other areas and fixed target of one year for completion. He also directed the officers to conduct livestock census in the district and underlined the need to procure high yielding yaks from Arunachal Pradesh for hybriding purpose so as to ensure the enhancement of yak breed in the district.

Mr Kohli issued on spot directions to the officers to prepare proposal for the establishment of fish farms and stock assistants training institute and assured the CEC and EC Animal and Sheep Husbandry that proposals for creation of the posts of SDOs and LDOs shall be framed and sent to the Finance Department in due course of time.

Later, enroute to Leh, the Minister also inaugurated Extension Centre of Animal Husbandry Department at village Dha Beama in Khalsi. The centre is exclusive meant for the benefits of the people of Aryan dynasty in the area. The representatives of the community had demanded setting up breeding centre in the village for of local live stock in the area.  

Speaking on the occasion, the Minister underscored the need to organize awareness camps at block levels to aware farmers about the polices and programme of the Government besides latest technologies adopted by the Animal and Sheep Husbandry Departments to increase livestock production in the State. 

During the tour, the Minister visited Poultry Farm Khalshi and took stock of its activities besides inaugurating Common facility center of Animal Husbandry center.

Interacting with the people at different places in route including Khalsi, the Minister said that the Government is committed to upgrade the living standard of the people of all the three regions of the State. He said efforts are afoot to make the J&K a model State of the Country.

Commissioner Secretary Animal, Sheep Husbandry R K Bhagat, Director Animal Husbandry Muhammad Yusuf Chaproo, Director Sheep Husbandry Muhammad Ramzan Sheikh and a team of Senior Officers of line Departments accompanied the Minister during his tour.