JAMMU: The Chief Secretary, Dr. Arun Kumar Mehta reviewed the functioning of the Animal, Sheep Husbandry & Fisheries Department, and achievements under major schemes in the sector.
The Principal Secretary, Animal Sheep Husbandry & Fisheries Department, concerned Directors, and other senior officers of the Department attended the meeting.
During the meeting, various sectors including dairy, poultry, and the schemes pertaining to the Department were reviewed in detail. It was informed that the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir has achieved significant progress in milk and meat production during the financial year 2020-21 and a total of 2594.49 thousand MT of milk, 88.94 thousand MT of meat, and 1743.30 thousand MT of egg production has been achieved.
It was noted that to meet the local demands, massive imports of meat, poultry, and eggs are currently required, and as such, the Chief Secretary asked the Department to explore more avenues to boost the local production. Dr. Mehta observed that a huge potential still exists to further enhance income and livelihood in the Union territory to the extent of approximately Rs1500 crore over the next 3 years.
The Chief Secretary further observed that the combined initiatives towards enhancement of qualitative production of apple, cash crops, poultry, fodder, and meat have the potential of adding around Rs 5000 crore to the economy in the medium term.

KR Desk