| JK depends on import to meet food grain requirements | | Annual demand 25 lakh MT, state produces 7 Lakh MT | | Akshay Azad
JAMMU, Aug 29: Contrary to tall claims of State Government making state self-sufficient in all spheres, the Jammu and Kashmir is seemingly fully depend on imports to meet the annual requirement of food grains, meat, eggs, milk beside other eatables. Sources informed Early Times that as per recent estimates the present requirement of food grains of state was to the tune of 25 Lakh metric tons. "But surprisingly, despite having vast cultivable area, the state is producing only 7 Lakh metric tons of food grains, while the remaining demand of 18 Lakh metric tonnes that is 72 percent, is being met through imports", sources said.
Adding more to worries of State Government, even the agriculture growth in state has been showing sharp decline. Against the target of 4 percent growth fixed by State Government, it has witnessed growth at around 2 percent at constant prices, sources said. In case of live stock growth, sources said, the state is also not showing any positive sign of improvement and it is found continuously depend on imports for requirement of meat.
"The present requirement of mutton/chicken was to the tune of 550 lakh kilograms, out of which 45 percent has been met through imports. Moreover, the poultry meat requirement of 606 kilograms out of which 19 percent has been met through direct imports.
Sources further disclosed that the egg production in Jammu and Kashmir has also shown a sharp decline. "Egg production during 2002-03 was 599.40 million eggs but during 2012-13 the official estimates revealed that only 486.80 million eggs were produced, a deceleration to the extent of 19 %", sources divulged.
They further said that a sizeable number of families have abandoned backyard poultry due to low profit generation as against the commercial poultry. Similar is the situation of state in case of production of cereals, pulses, milk and other eatables, sources said. |
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