Faizan Ahmad
Srinagar Dec 22 (KINS): Livestock population is witnessing a decline while the livestock imports are increasing by more than Rs 2500 crore annually in Jammu and Kashmir
An official document of Sheep Husbandry reveals that the livestock population has witnessed 3.4 percent fall from the 18th livestock census in J&K.
Human population of J&K comprises 1 percent of India’s population whereas the livestock population of the erstwhile state constitutes 1.79 percent of the country’s livestock population (512 million).
“The engagement of people in this sector finally seems to have been relegated to habits rather than robust economic activity. Livestock imports are increasing by more than Rs 2500 crore annually,” the document says.
Inadequate availability of feed and fodder, insufficient breeding coverage, low conception rates, non-availability of quality breeds, poor management practices, and high mortality and morbidity losses due to diseases, inadequate infrastructure/manpower, and unorganized marketing are some of the major reasons for the dip in the livestock.
A senior official pointed out that fodder scarcity, unorganized practices, smallholdings, disoriented pricing mechanisms, diminishing economic returns and ineffective regulatory mechanisms have added to the “woes” of the sector.
“Demand for the mutton is increasing with time. To meet the requirement, about 15 lakh small ruminants are imported into the J&K annually,” the official told news agency KINS.
To make J&K less dependent on imports, the official said experts have suggested that the cross breeding of local sheep shall be initiated in the uncovered areas.
Similarly there is a requirement of 12 kg of poultry per person annually but J&K faces a deficiency of 52 percent.
The official said experts have recommended that J&K shall employ Jersey and Holstein Friesian breeds for grading and cross breeding of cattle.
They have also stressed for increasing the production of two goat breeds –Changra and Bakerwali. Further they have suggested that breeding of Pashmina goats shall be taken up in traditional areas of Leh district. (KINS)
