50,000 LPD UHT Milk Plant inaugurated in Jammu; Rs 12,634 crore AH&F sector accounts for 6.25% of UT’s GDP
Diplomat Correspondent
Srinagar, (DD)Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Rajiv Ranjan Singh, and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today jointly chaired a high-level review meeting on the Animal Husbandry and Fisheries sectors of Jammu and Kashmir at the Civil Secretariat, Srinagar.
The meeting was attended by Minister for Agriculture Production and Panchayati Raj Javid Ahmad Dar, Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, Secretary GoI Alka Upadhyay, Additional Chief Secretary Dheeraj Gupta, and other senior officials from the Ministry. Vice Chancellors of SKUAST-K and SKUAST-J, and heads of allied departments were also present.
In his remarks, the Union Mi2nister underlined the immense untapped potential of J&K’s livestock and fisheries sectors, assuring full support from the Centre. “Where there is scope, there must be action,” he stated, urging collaboration to convert potential into outcomes. He stressed that rural prosperity hinges on sustainable livelihoods reaching the grassroots.
He advocated for encouraging youth to engage in micro and small-scale enterprises in livestock and fisheries, and announced that the Centre is drafting a detailed infrastructure development plan in coordination with NDDB and NFDB. The Minister also revealed plans for an Exporters’ Conference and a Private Sector Investment Conference in J&K.
Emphasising the need to shift dairy from the unorganised to the organised sector, Singh called for reviving cooperatives and Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs). He cited the success of dairy cooperatives in Varanasi and encouraged J&K officials to adopt similar models for increased milk production and income generation.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, thanking the Union Minister for his visit, noted that the key to sustainable development in J&K lies in strengthening traditional sectors like agriculture, horticulture, livestock, fisheries, and tourism. “Our strength lies in these sectors—not in chasing elusive factories,” he remarked.
He highlighted the lack of organised value addition in trout fisheries, despite J&K contributing 90% of India’s trout production, and called for self-sufficiency in meat production, noting that much of the mutton consumed is still imported. The CM also committed to reviving the cooperative culture in the dairy sector.
Referring to the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP), the CM said it aims to fill critical gaps in oilseed, fodder, dairy, mutton and fisheries. He appreciated the Union Government’s support and assured that all suggestions from the review would be implemented earnestly.
During the session, the Union Minister and Chief Minister virtually inaugurated a 50,000 litres per day Ultra High Temperature (UHT) Milk Plant at Satwari, Jammu, and interacted with progressive dairy farmers who spoke of improved incomes and streamlined procurement through cooperative societies.
Principal Secretary Shailendra Kumar delivered a presentation noting that the Animal Husbandry and Fisheries sector contributes Rs 12,634 crore to J&K’s GDP, accounting for 6.25%. The livestock population includes 24.54 lakh cattle, 31 lakh sheep, 15 lakh goats, and 73 lakh backyard poultry, with annual milk production at 2,875 TMT. Trout contributes to 90% of India’s total trout output.
Under the National Livestock Mission, 2.9 lakh animals were insured and new Sheep AI Centres established. Over 96 lakh vaccinations have been administered under NADCP, while 1,500+ MAITRIs have been trained under the Rashtriya Gokul Mission. The PMMSY has supported infrastructure for aquaculture, ornamental fisheries, and RAS units, benefiting nearly 80,000 people.
Under the National Programme for Dairy Development, JKMPCL is targeting Rs 500 crore turnover by 2025–26, with two new milk plants under construction at a cost of Rs 258.10 crore. Furthermore, over 11.33 lakh Kisan Credit Cards, including 2.46 lakh for Animal Husbandry & Fisheries, have been issued. The AHIDF has achieved a 73% sanction rate, encouraging private investments in dairy and poultry.
The Rs 5,013 crore HADP allocates Rs 1,364 crore for livestock and fisheries, aiming to achieve self-sufficiency in milk, mutton and egg production. Additionally, 1,800+ Pashu Sakhis have been deployed, and 500 hydroponic fodder units are under establishment to address green fodder shortages.
Digitisation efforts are advancing through the Kisan Sathi Portal, Daksh Kisan LMS, and the Output Tracking App, with over 2,000 Kisan Khidmat Ghars being set up for grassroots agricultural services.
The department’s innovations and performance have earned national recognition, including the SKOCH Gold Award, Innovation Leadership Award, and Best UT in Fisheries Award for 2024(DD)
