MAY 06: Deputy Commissioner Poonch, Vikas Kundal, convened a comprehensive review meeting to assess the functioning of the Animal Husbandry and Sheep Husbandry Departments. The meeting primarily focused on the execution of key initiatives under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP), identifying implementation gaps, and formulating measures to improve service delivery at the grassroots.
Officers from both departments presented progress reports covering major schemes such as Dairy and Poultry Development, Fodder Resource Management, Artificial Insemination, and Integrated Sheep Development. Special attention was paid to achievements under ATMA and Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSSs).
DC Kundal emphasized the importance of efficient on-ground execution to ensure that eligible farmers and livestock owners benefit directly. He urged the departments to strengthen enrollment on the DAKSH portal and encouraged timely course completion. To enhance outreach in remote and tribal communities, he instructed that the DAKSH Kissan lecture series be translated into local languages like Gojri and Pahari.
A review of Kisan Credit Card (KCC) saturation in the dairy and poultry sectors was also undertaken. The DC called for 100% coverage of all eligible farming households, noting the progress in local poultry hatching as a commendable step that should be further scaled.
Focusing on the National Artificial Insemination Programme (NAIP), DC Kundal directed officials to intensify awareness among livestock owners about the long-term benefits of artificial insemination and to adhere strictly to set deadlines.
Under the Sheep Husbandry sector, the Deputy Commissioner reviewed field-level activities including livestock dipping, vaccination drives, breeding programs, and distribution of fodder seed kits. He issued a directive for establishing first aid veterinary camps along the seasonal migratory routes used by nomadic herders, ensuring timely veterinary support during their movement to highland grazing areas.
He further instructed full and timely implementation of the four HADP-linked projects in the sheep husbandry sector and asked departments to align their efforts with the financial year 2025–26 goals. The DC concluded by underscoring the importance of community awareness campaigns and inter-departmental collaboration for smooth and effective service delivery.
