Srinagar, Jan 17: The Jammu and Kashmir administration has recently approved a project to increase milk production by a significant 70 percent within the next five years, Financial Commissioner Agriculture Production Department, Atal Dulloo said on Tuesday.
He said the dairy development in Jammu and Kashmir is a crucial aspect of the region’s economy, as well as a vital source of nutrition for its residents.
“Dairy is the biggest component of livestock husbandry and plays a pivotal role in sustaining agriculture income and acts as a growth engine for agriculture, allied sectors in J&K,” he said.
Dulloo said the new project is aimed at boost dairy industry across JK. “Currently, the annual milk production in J&K is 26 Lakh Metric Tons (LMT), but according to the project, the J&K has set a target to increase this figure to 44 LMT,” he said.
This increase in milk production is expected to be achieved through a range of measures, including the expansion of breeding coverage and increasing per animal productivity.
“One of the key elements of the project is to increase per-animal productivity from 2400 litres to 4300 liters, which is a significant increase. This will be achieved through a range of interventions, including the expansion of Artificial Insemination (AI) centers from 1389 to 2189. The increase in AI centers will be carried out through the involvement of 800 private AI workers,” Dulloo said.
He said additionally, the government will establish a Murrah buffalo breeding farm and double the output from semen stations, with the aim of producing 19 lac doses annually.
The dairy development in J&K is one among the 29 projects, which were approved by the Jammu and Kashmir administration after being recommended by the UT Level Apex Committee for holistic development of Agriculture and Allied Sectors in UT of J&K.
“Under this project the government also plans to set up 400 satellite heifer rearing units, which will help to improve the quality of new genetic material and enhance milk production and is expected to uplift the dairy industry and make J&K one of the leading milk-producing regions in the country,” he said.
The government has also decided to augment milk processing capacity and to strengthen marketing and value addition.
“This will be achieved through four times increase in milk collection & chilling infrastructure through installation of 500 village level Automatic Milk Collection Units (AMCUs) and 50 Bulk Milk Coolers (BMCs). To promote village enterprise at least 110 lakh liters of additional milk shall be value added at village levels every year through Self Help Groups,” Dulloo said.
He also said that the government has envisioned to take the yearly milk production to 44 LMT by 2027 and finally 98 LMT by 2047.
To achieve these ambitious targets, the government will be working on various components including 70 percent Artificial Insemination coverage in five years.
“Milk value addition is one of the prime focus as milk products including ghee, butter and cheese will be produced in bulk. Similarly, the government is also working under another project to bring down the fodder deficit from 41 to 8 percent,” he said.
Dulloo added that the dairy development initiative aims to boost milk production in the region and improve the livelihoods of the people.
