Livestock is one of the rapidly growing sectors that has demonstrated its significance in the growth and development of the rural economy over the years.
The sector not only supplements farmers' income but also provides gainful employment, in addition to addressing the individual's vital and diverse nutritional requirements.
With the majority of the rural population engaging in cattle and buffalo rearing, the government is committed to the growth of livestock and dairy farmers.
The announcements in the 2022-23 Budget are quite transformational in nature, and the higher allocations would benefit Jammu and Kashmir farmers significantly.
The recently announced Budget 2022-23 for J&K has a slew of opportunities for further growth and development in every sector, with Animal, Sheep, and Fisheries receiving special attention from the administration.
The government has allocated a whopping amount of Rs.391.90 crore for the Animal, Sheep Husbandry, and Fisheries sector, which would be critical in transforming Jammu and Kashmir's rural economy.
Similarly, as part of a major push toward the Animal Husbandry sector, 2000 dairy units will be created, providing direct employment for around 5000 people between 2022 and 2023.
Private entrepreneurs will also be provided with Bulk Milk coolers, milk processing/Paneer making machines, marketing facilities such as milk ATMs and milk transportation vans, milking machines, and dairy farm waste management with focus to cover women entrepreneurs and other reserved category beneficiaries as well.
Another major area targeted in the budget is increasing the quality of milk production in cattle and buffaloes. By conducting about 13 lakh Artificial Inseminations, 4.60 lakh breed-able dairy cows/buffaloes would receive free Artificial Insemination service at the farmer's doorstep.
In a major push to make Jammu and Kashmir self-sufficient in milk production, annual milk production in J&K is predicted to expand from 2505 Thousand Metric Ton to 2800 Thousand Metric Ton during 2022-23, with adequate interventions incorporated into the budget.
Under the Integrating Sheep Development Scheme, around 1200 sheep/goat units will be constructed in J&K to improve the animal husbandry business, creating job possibilities for over 2400 people. To encourage the establishment of sheep and goat units in the union territory, 200 elite crossbred imported merino sheep will be introduced for genetic up-gradation of local sheep, resulting in the production of around 8000 elite lambs. This would result in an increase in carcass output from the current 18 kg to 21 kg, as well as an increase in fine wool production from the current 2 Kg to 2.5 Kg per sheep.
Considering the importance of Veterinary Healthcare for livestock growth, 44 mobile veterinary clinics proposed are to be operationalized to provide doorstep delivery of veterinary health care and breeding services. Around 78 lakh livestock and 5 crore poultry birds will be vaccinated against different scheduled animal diseases.
