Imported elite high merit breeds to power J&K’s dairy transformation: Javid Dar

GANDERBAL, MARCH 25: Minister for Agriculture Production, Rural Development & Panchayati Raj, Cooperative and Election Departments, Javid Ahmad Dar, today visited the Animal Husbandry facility at Ranbirbagh, Ganderbal and reviewed the ongoing initiatives at the station.

Interacting with the officers and field functionaries, the Minister highlighted a dual strategy for dairy growth: boosting milk productivity via genetic upgradation and strengthening dairy infrastructure, processing

He underscored that dairying has emerged as a high-impact sector with strong potential to uplift small, marginal and landless farmers.

Referring to the Dairy Development Project under HADP, the Minister said that efforts are being undertaken in mission mode to improve the breed quality, expand artificial insemination coverage and strengthen value chains. He observed that Jammu & Kashmir currently produces nearly 30 lakh metric tonnes of milk annually, with a target of 43 lakh metric tonnes by 2030 to bridge the demand-supply gap and position the Union Territory as a net exporter of dairy products.

In a significant step towards genetic improvement, he highlighted that elite high-merit breeding bulls have been imported from the United States under HADP, which will be used for artificial insemination and systematic breed improvement of local livestock.

The Minister also reviewed the upgradation of the Frozen Semen Station at Ranbirbagh, being undertaken with support from NABARD, to develop it into a state-of-the-art facility. He emphasized that strengthening semen production and distribution infrastructure is critical to scale up the artificial insemination programme across the Union Territory.

He further stated that over their productive lifespan of around eight years, these bulls are expected to produce approximately 1.2 crore semen doses, resulting in the birth of nearly 15 lakh high-yielding dairy cows across Jammu & Kashmir.

Terming the initiative a transformational intervention, the Minister said it will significantly enhance the milk yields, boost farmers’ incomes, generate employment in dairy farming and processing and accelerate J&K’s transition towards becoming a net exporter in the dairy sector.

Among those present during the visit were Director Animal Husbandry Kashmir Mohd Yunus, Chief Animal Husbandry Officer Ganderbal and other senior officers of the department.