JAMMU, JANUARY 12: Poultry farming in Jammu and Kashmir has a long history, with traditional farming methods dating back centuries. However, in recent years, the sector has undergone significant modernisation and expansion.
The introduction of new technologies and improved breeding techniques has led to an increase in production and quality of poultry products, transforming the sector from a source of supplementary income and proteinic foods for families to a major commercial activity that generates significant revenue.
This growth can be attributed to a number of factors, including changes in food habits, rise of the middle class and their increased income, presence of private companies in the industry, and increasing demand for poultry products in the market.
The UT government has played a key role in promoting the development of the poultry sector. It has implemented various initiatives and schemes to support farmers and encourage the growth of the industry like providing subsidies and financial assistance to farmers, promoting backyard poultry farming, establishing training and capacity building programs, and encouraging the use of modern technology in poultry farming. However, with the increasing demands the sector has become dependent on imported poultry produce and raw material which has become a cause for concern and puts the local poultry industry at a disadvantage.
To put the poultry sector on the path of sustainability and self-reliance the Agriculture Production Department has approved a ‘Roadmap for poultry development in J&K’ under its mission for Holistic Development of Agriculture and Allied Sectors in the UT. “Every year the UT experiences a flight of capital on account of poultry imports to the tune of Rs. 1273 Cr. Among these table eggs account for Rs. 473 Cr, day old chicks for Rs. 110 Cr, poultry feed worth Rs. 300 Cr and broiler birds for Rs. 390 Cr”, said Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secretary APD.
The ACS said that this flight however, can also be viewed as an opportunity for generating local enterprises and creating jobs for our educated youth for which various interventions under the project are being implemented. He added that a total of 420 enterprises and 4250 direct jobs are being created under this project over the next five years.
‘Roadmap for poultry development in J&K’ is one among the 29 projects 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. The prestigious committee is headed by Dr Mangala Rai, Former DG ICAR and has other luminaries in the field of Agriculture, Planning, Statistics & Administration like Ashok Dalwai, CEO NRAA; Dr. P. K Joshi, Secretary, NAAS; Dr. Prabhat Kumar, Horticulture Commissioner MOA & FW; Dr. H. S Gupta, Former Director, IARI; Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secretary, APD J&K, apart from the Vice Chancellors of the twin Agriculture Universities of the UT.
