SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Government is considering setting up an Embryo Transfer Technology laboratory on a pilot basis in Kashmir as part of a broader plan to increase milk production and improve the genetic potential and productivity of dairy animals in the Union Territory.
The proposed facility is among a series of measures outlined by the Agriculture Production Department in response to an unstarred question by MLA Javaid Riyaz on steps being taken to increase milk production in JK.
The government said per capita milk availability in J&K is already higher than the national average, but efforts are being continued to raise milk and per-animal productivity, improve feed and fodder availability, strengthen veterinary and breeding services, expand dairy infrastructure and improve market access for milk producers.
Under the Integrated Dairy Development Scheme, financial assistance and subsidies are being provided to eligible beneficiaries for setting up and expanding dairy units, procuring milch animals and developing milk-chilling and value-addition infrastructure.
The Holistic Agriculture Development Programme is supporting dairy and fodder development through measures including genetic improvement, satellite heifer-rearing units, dairy infrastructure, fodder cultivation and conservation, hydroponic fodder production and hay and silage making.
The government said the Rashtriya Gokul Mission is being implemented through artificial insemination, sex-sorted semen and other breed-improvement interventions aimed at improving bovine genetics and increasing the availability of genetically superior female calves.
Support for livestock development and allied activities, including livestock insurance, is also being provided under the National Livestock Mission, subject to scheme guidelines and availability of funds.
Under the Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme, preventive vaccination, disease-control measures and veterinary healthcare services are being provided to reduce livestock morbidity and mortality and protect milk production.
The National Programme for Dairy Development is being used to strengthen infrastructure for milk procurement, chilling, processing, testing and quality assurance, with the stated objective of improving market access and returns for milk producers.
The government also said the Jammu & Kashmir Competitiveness Improvement of Agriculture and Allied Sectors Project is supporting milk aggregation and chilling infrastructure, including Bulk Milk Coolers, along with dairy processing and value-addition activities for eligible beneficiaries, Self-Help Groups, Farmer Producer Organisations and cooperatives.
The Artificial Insemination network is being strengthened through doorstep services, deployment of additional MAITRIs, quality-assured frozen semen and high-genetic-merit germplasm. The Frozen Semen Station at Ranbirbagh is also being strengthened for production of quality-assured semen doses.
Veterinary support includes Mobile Veterinary Units and the toll-free 1962 helpline, besides farmer training, capacity building, ration balancing and awareness programmes focused on animal health, nutrition and dairy management.
Measures to improve feed and fodder availability include distribution of fodder seed kits, establishment of fodder depots and promotion of chaff cutters, hydroponic fodder units and hay- and silage-making units.
Eligible dairy farmers and entrepreneurs are also being facilitated in accessing institutional credit, including through the Kisan Credit Card and other applicable schemes. Dairy animals inducted under the Integrated Dairy Development Scheme are insured according to the scheme provisions.
The government said milk processing and value addition, including pasteurisation, packaging and production of curd, paneer and other dairy products, are being promoted through financial assistance to eligible individuals, groups, SHGs, FPOs and cooperatives.
According to the department, the various interventions are being implemented through convergence of departmental and centrally sponsored schemes, with the stated objectives of raising milk and per-animal productivity, strengthening the dairy value chain, improving farmers’ incomes, promoting dairy entrepreneurship and creating sustainable employment opportunities in the sector.
