Pulwama, Jan 21: Pulwama has slipped from its position as the largest milk-producing district in the Kashmir division, with Anantnag now taking the top spot.
The Animal Husbandry Department authorities disclosed that Anantnag has emerged as the new leader with a daily production of 7.29 lakh litres, overtaking Pulwama.
Chief Animal Husbandry Officer (CAHO) of Anantnag, Javid Mohi u din Zargar, stated that Anantnag’s annual milk production is approximately 266.35 thousand tonnes, surpassing Pulwama.
CAHO Anantnag highlighted that Pulwama recorded 262.95 thousand litres in annual milk production for the first three quarters of the current financial year, securing the second position.
Budgam and Kulgam claimed the 3rd and 4th positions, respectively.
“I take pride in disclosing that Anantnag is the new Anand of Kashmir,” CAHO Anantnag proclaimed.
Pulwama, formerly recognized as the Anand of Kashmir, saw a decline in its milk production status for the first three quaters of current financial year.
CAHO Anantnag attributed the success to the Integrated Diary Scheme (IDS), benefiting livestock holders in improving their economic conditions.
“A subsidy of Rs. 1,17,00,000 was disbursed among 221 beneficiaries for the first three quarters of the current financial year, ” he said, adding that the establishment of new dairy units not only boosted milk production but also contributed to employment generation and vermicompost making, promoting organic farming.
The officer credited all stakeholders, emphasising that the achievement was a result of collaborative efforts from grassroots employees to higher officials in the Animal Husbandry Department.
The Chief Animal Husbandry Officer of Pulwama acknowledged Anantnag’s larger cow population and indicated that per capita milk production in Pulwama still surpasses that of Anantnag.
He anticipated that the cumulative figures, accounting for all four quarters, would likely position Pulwama with an annual milk production of around 270 thousand tonnes.
