Mir Zahoor stresses youth to opt for sheep farming
as viable source for creating employment avenues
BUDGAM, MARCH 17: Minister for Animal, Sheep Husbandry and
Fisheries, Abdul Ghani Kohli Saturday said
that the Government is committed to turn barren land into pastures for creating
more grazing fields for progressive sheep breeding in Kashmir.
The Minister made these remarks, after inaugurating
a ‘Kisan Mela’ organized by
District Sheep Husbandry department Budgam at Sheikh-ul-Alam Hall in Budgam.
Minister of State for PHE, Irrigation & Flood
Control, Animal, Sheep Husbandry, Fisheries, Forest and Cooperatives Mir Zahoor
Ahmad was also present on the occasion.
The Minister lamented on the decreasing graph of
grazing land which he termed as one of the reasons for slow growth of sheep
population in the Valley.
He said that all efforts are being taken to turn barren
land into the grazing land by growing grass on it for sheep breeders.
By growing grass on the barren land would help in
curbing the dearth of feeding resources for the breeders particularly during
winters.
The Minister said that the prevailing situation in
Kashmir has also affected the sheep population as grazing of sheep in deep
jungles had become difficult for the villagers.
He said that with the help of new technologies,
grass would be also grown in areas which are hit with dearth of water or due to
dry weather.
Meanwhile, the Minister said that the Valley has
been successful in producing 80 different breeds of the sheep and has
distinction of producing best wool in the country. He also said that with the help
of cross breeding techniques, the department has been successful in producing
quality sheep.
MoS Mir Zahoor in his speech deliberated on various
state and centrally sponsored schemes launched for the promotion of sheep
breeding sector in the state.
He said that the sector has huge potential to
sustain economy and stressed on youth to opt for sheep farming as viable source
for creating employment avenues for themselves and others in the Valley.
He said that not only J&K was huge market for
the mutton consumption but also best place for the sheep farming for its rich
green topography. “Besides, government has also started training
programmes and provide loans through various banks to the educated youth, who
can avail all such facilities to start sheep farming in the state,”
he said.
District Development Commissioner Budgam, Mohammad
Harun Malik, Director Sheep Husbandry Dr Mohammad Ramzan also spoke on the
occasion and urged educated youth to start sheep farming instead of running
government jobs for their better progress and economic sustenance.
District Sheep Husbandry officer, in his welcome
address while deliberating on the achievements of the department in
the district in past many years, said that the population of sheep as well as
farmers were increasing with support of department.
The Department also conducted a livestock show and
provided daylong training to scores of sheep breeders who attended the
function.
District Sheep Husbandry Office Budgam also
distributed prizes among the breeders for their unique breed farming in the
district.