Our efforts to ensure animals are disease-free at production stage
By CM Sharma
In Jammu Kashmir, the Animal and Sheep Husbandry has been a mainstay of a big chunk of people in rural, semi-urban and hilly areas, especially of tribals and migratory populace in Jammu and Kashmir. There have been noticeable gaps in rendering timely and effectively assistance to the livestock, farmers and breeders despite having a good number of government schemes.
On this World Milk Day on June 01, the Northlines and Dehat Sandesh ascertained certain useful information on the status of this vital department from the Minister of Animal, Sheep Husbandry and Fisheris, in J&K for information of our readers, benefit of milk producers, processors, suppliers, consumers and entrepreneurs:
1. Any estimate of milk requirement and availability from different sources in J & K?
The state has made great improvement in meeting the local demand of raw milk and the state as per latest official estimates produces around 25.26 lakh metric tons of milk in 2017-18. In as far as the requirement of Milk in the state is concerned, Indian Council of Medical Research has recommended 200-300 Gms of milk per person per day which puts the requirement of milk in the state at 11-12 lakh metric tons of milk. In addition to this around 1.03 Lakhs MT & 0.64 Lakhs MT of raw milk & Packed milk is imported respectively. Thus around 27 Lakhs MT is the availability in the state.
2. What about steps being taken to increase milk production and availability in the state?
The department of Animal husbandry has embarked upon an ambitious programme of genetic up-gradation of local low yielding cattle of the state in to high yielding improved variety of Friesian and Jersey cross cattle from last four decades. This has now started yielding results by steady increase of milk production. The annual milk production in 2007 was 15.48 lakh Metric Tons which has now touched 25.26 lakh Metric Tons an increase of 63 %. At present around 53% of our total cattle is cross bred as per the livestock census of 2012..
3. Gujars Gadis and Bakerwals are the main producers of milk. How are they being helped in raising milk production and marketing at remunerative rates?
These communities are traditional livestock rearers and as such have adopted a migratory life style. The department provides veterinary health care services to them during the migratory process and at highland pastures also. More over recently, the department provides 10 Ewe unit on 50% subsidy under Tribal Sub Plan besides similar activity is being provided under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana.
Also, to safeguard the life and livestock of these communities during migration of these communities, five shelter sheds are being constructed en-route these routes.
4. Quality Control is very critical issue in case of milk. How it is being ensured?
For all the major livestock products like milk, mutton, chicken eggs etc. quality control is very important, given the fact that some zoonotic diseases are passed to humans by consuming infected livestock products. The department through its field workers ensure that the animals are disease free at production level, by providing round the clock veterinary health services and follow vaccination and dosing schedule programme in the field.
However at marketing level, Food safety authority of the state does have an important role to ensure that livestock products transported, marketed, stored and imported are being done as per the Food safety norms. In this regard I had few meetings with the concerned officials and directed to have close liaison with the Animal husbandry officials who can jointly ensure that the consumer gets clean and disease free livestock product including milk.
5. Is there any special scheme for provision of quality milk to each and every lactating mother, infant/child in hospitals orphanages hostels etc?
The role of this department in such an endeavor is limited however under the direction of Govt. of India this department is exploring the possibility of linking the Mid Day Meal scheme with the inclusion of milk in the menu with the concerned departments.
6. Any Scheme for attracting young entrepreneurs for establishment of dairy farms?
Presently the department is implementing one attractive Central Sector scheme called “Dairy Entrepreneurship Development Scheme” where under dairy units of 2- 10 cows can be established. This scheme has other host of attractive components like dairy processing units, milk transportation etc. also.
Under the DEDS scheme, 02-10 animal dairy units are established with a subsidy of 25% for general category and 33% for SC/ST category . In the state, since 2010-11 till date 7507 dairy units stand established for which Rs 31.88 Crore subsidy has been given by NABARD as back ended subsidy.
7. Any success story with regard to formation of Milk Producers Societies Groups Cooperatives?
In 2016, a project was started by active collaboration of J&K Milk Producers Cooperative Limited (State Milk Federation- Snowcap) and J&K State Rural Livelihoods Mission (Project UMEED) under which Self Help Groups organized & promoted by JKSRLM were converted into village dairy co-operative societies. Automatic Milk Collection Systems were installed at these societies to bring transparency, accountability & faith in the milk collection process. So far, more than Rs. 3 Cr has been released for this project and 241 such automated centers operated by women members have been setup. As of 31st March'18, approx. 38 lakh kgs milk has been collected from these centres and Rs. 13 Cr has been disbursed as payment to more than 8000 milk producing households. The project has given livelihood to more than 350 women SHG members.
8. Facilities being provided if any to establish milk and milk products processing plant in private sector?
The domain of this department is mainly to increase the production level of major livestock products like milk, mutton, eggs and poultry meat. In as far as value addition of these products is concerned it has to be natural development with active incentivization from other sectors like Industries & Commerce.
In cooperative sector, Jammu and Kashmir Milk Producers Cooperative Ltd is leading in milk processing and marketing facilities which are being provided to state milk federation for modernization and expansion of milk processing capacities under National Programme for Dairy Development. Under this scheme more than Rs. 13 Cr has been released in favor of JKMPCL. Through this funding, JKMPCL has expanded its processing base from 35 TLPD to 100 TLPD and chilling capacity from 33 TLPD to 105 TLPD. Their procurement has also increased from 13 TLPD to 50 TLPD. Further, similar projects for further expansion of Jammu and Srinagar units under milk federation and addition of value added product lines is being proposed to Govt. of India for consideration in 2018-19.
9. Steps being taken to boost feed and fodder production in the state at district, block and Panchayat level?
This department is actively involved in the feed and fodder activity by providing necessary funds under Centrally Sponsored Schemes for fodder development. Last year under CSS National Livestock Mission Rs 2.69 Crs were provided to Forest department for fodder development in forest areas. Apart from this, State owned Farms are being developed as fodder Farms also.
10. Your message for the farmers and general public on world Milk Day?
My message to general public especially the educated youth of this state is to come forward and start commercial units of livestock. As the returns avalible in this sector are attractive as compared to other sectors.
