Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan, CM Omar review Animal Husbandry & Fisheries Sector in J&K

Srinagar, Jul 2: Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Rajiv Ranjan Singh and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday jointly chaired a high-level review meeting of the Animal Husbandry and Fisheries sectors of Jammu & Kashmir here at Srinagar, Civil Secretariat.

As per an official press release the meeting was attended by Minister for Agriculture Production & Panchayati Raj Javid Ahmad Dar, Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, Secretary GoI Alka Upadhyay, Additional Chief Secretary Dheeraj Gupta, Additional Secretary (CDD/IT) and other senior officers from the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying. Principal Secretary Agriculture Production Department J&K Shailendra Kumar, Vice Chancellors of SKUAST-K and SKUAST-J, and heads of allied departments were also present. Addressing the meeting, the Union Minister underlined the immense untapped potential in J&K’s livestock and fisheries sectors and assured full support from the Centre. “We are here today to listen, understand your challenges, and work together. Where there is scope, there must be action,” he stated.

He called for joint efforts between the Centre and J&K Government to convert potential into outcomes, adding that rural prosperity can only be achieved when economic development reaches the grassroots through sustainable livelihoods.

Union Minister said that encouraging youth to enter micro and small-scale livestock and fishery enterprises can generate employment and inclusive growth. He informed that a detailed plan is being drawn up involving key national institutions like the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) and National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) to build strong infrastructure and link farmers to markets. He also announced the government’s intention to hold an Exporters’ Conference and a Private Sector Investment Conference in J&K to boost entrepreneurship. Emphasising the need to shift dairy operations from the unorganized to the organized sector, the Minister stressed the importance of cooperatives and Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs). He cited the example of dairy cooperatives in Varanasi where milk production increased manifold, and additional income was being earned even from cattle waste. He urged J&K’s officials to study and replicate such successful models.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah thanked the Union Minister for his visit and reiterated the significance of such joint reviews in identifying local priorities and learning from national best practices.

He observed that in J&K, large industries and factories have not always yielded sustainable results, and the real opportunity lies in strengthening traditional sectors like agriculture, horticulture, livestock, fisheries, and tourism. “Our strength lies in these sectors—not in chasing elusive factories. We must build on what is rooted in J&K,” he said.

The Chief Minister highlighted that while J&K contributes 90 per cent of India’s trout production, the sector lacks organized processing and value addition. Similarly, despite high per capita meat consumption, much of the mutton is sourced from outside. He emphasized that self-sufficiency in meeting domestic demand can significantly improve incomes and reduce imports. He also spoke about the gradual decline of cooperatives in the dairy sector and assured that his government is committed to reviving cooperative culture and linking milk producers to formal processing networks.

The meeting concluded with both leaders reaffirming their shared vision for transforming Animal Husbandry and Fisheries into vibrant, employment-generating sectors in J&K. it was resolved to implement joint strategies for infrastructure expansion, market linkages, entrepreneurship development, and cooperatives’ revival, aimed at building a resilient rural economy.

Earlier, Principal Secretary Shailendra Kumar gave a detailed presentation on the performance of the Animal Husbandry and Fisheries Departments, noting that the sectors contribute Rs 12,634 crore—6.25 percent of J&K’s GDP. 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 and trout accounting for 90 percent of the national output.

Under the National Program for Dairy Development, JKMPCL is targeting Rs 500 crore turnover by 2025–26, with two new milk plants underway at a cost of ?258.10 crore. Over 11.33 lakh Kisan Credit Cards have been issued, including 2.46 lakh for AH&F. The AHIDF has achieved a 73 percent sanction rate, enabling private investments in dairy and poultry infrastructure. It was noted that Rs 5,013 crore Holistic Agriculture Development Program includes Rs 1,364 crore for livestock and fisheries, aiming at self-sufficiency in milk, mutton, and eggs. More than 1,800 Pashu Sakhis have been deployed, and 500 hydroponic fodder units are being set up to address green fodder needs.