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| Making state self sufficient in milk, mutton and poultry | | | | Amidst poor state of health of J&K economy and colossal problem of unemployment staring at the face, the report that J&K imports mutton, milk and poultry worth Rs 16,000 crore annually is highly revealing and disturbing. One wonders why the planners of state economy have not so far thought of and chalked out a line of action to make the state self sufficient in production of milk, mutton, chicken and eggs, not to speak of exporting the same to other states of the country. The State has vast potential to become hub of production of these essential commodities, for local consumption as well as marketing the same outside the state which could earn good revenue to the state, improve the economy of the producers of these items as well as provide employment to a very large number of people. The state presents plenty of green pastures for the grazing of the cattle as well as of the goats and sheep. Similarly there is vast scope for rearing the poultry birds, by setting up poultry farms in different parts of the state. The soil as well as the climate in most parts of the state is very friendly for rearing of cattle, sheep and goats as well as poultry birds. But unfortunately lack of proper planning and incentives from the government as well as the banks to the farmers engaged in the field has been responsible for this state of affair. About 20% of the population of J&K are Gujjars and Bakarwals, who keep flocks of milk cattle, goats and sheep and if still the state is even not self sufficient in these items, the fault lies in the planners. With very fertile land and plethora of water bodies available for irrigation of the fields, the state also imports vegetables for its local consumption. Our youth who run after government jobs which are very limited, need be motivated to take up self employment schemes, with stress on dairy and poultry farms, for which the government should provide them the desired guidance, assistance and financial help. Against worth Rs 16,000 crore imports of milk, mutton and poultry, the state exports fruits worth only Rs 2,000 crore annually in the markets outside the state. While special stress need be paid to improve the quality of fruits, to fetch good price and compete with other fruit producing states like Himachal Pradesh and Uttarkhand, we should also open up avenues for the production of milk, mutton and poultry etc. Incidentally Kashmiris happen to be ferocious meat eaters and non vegetarian food is a daily routine in their kitchens and besides that a very huge quantity of mutton and chicken is served in the marriage functions and on occasions of festivals like Id. According to an estimate about 30,000 poultry birds are being consumed daily in the valley. It is in addition to birds and mutton cooked during marriages and other functions. About 5,000 goats and sheep are also being consumed daily in the valley. Unfortunately the government run milk cooperative federation, including JAMFED which was set up few decades ago with high hopes and assurances has run into heavy losses due to rampant corruption and stands closed down. Similarly the Belicharana poultry farm is also not in good health. So has been the case with the Athwal poultry farm near Srinagar in Kashmir. The state which had recently entered into a joint venture with the cooperative sector of Gujrat state, producing Amul milk and other milk products, has also run into bad weather and the reports are that the arrangement has been discontinued. The state should encourage formation of local cooperatives and help the rural youth to get engaged in this sector, working on scientific lines. A target should be set to make the state self sufficient in milk, mutton and poultry within five years and all attention should be focused on the same. |
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