Faiza Gillani
MUZAFFARABAD: The breeding of livestock and poultry farming is very important segment of the rural life, they play an important role in increasing the income of farmers, said the Director General Livestock, Dr. Mtloob Hussain Raja here on Tuesday. He expressed this in his interview with Bureau Chief Daily Country News, Faiza Gillani in Muzaffarabad. The department of Livestock is flourishing day by day.
He said that breeding of livestock and poultry farming is a big source for meeting the needs of milk, meat, and eggs of continuously growing population. The incumbent government of PML-N in Azad Jammu and Kashmir is paying its special attention on this sector since the very first day of it in office. Rs 2 million have been allocated for the provision of medicines to the animals at 257 veterinary points. Buildings which were demolished in the earthquake of 2005 have been reconstructed. The department of Livestock has established 50 AI centers with the cost of Rs 196.314 million under strengthening Bread Improvement Program, he added.
Dr. Matloob Hussain Raja said that work on new poultry complex has been completed in Palandari. 35,508 layer flock has been prepared and sold out from this farm. 276 dairy farms, 24 sheep farms and goat farms have been established under Poverty Reduction through Establishment of Production Unit program. Rs 750000 was allocated for one Sheep and Goat Unit. The markup on loan has been paid by the department. The department has paid Rs 124. 912 million markup so far. 300 more Dairy Units will be established in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). The loan of Rs 1 million will be given to each farm and the markup will be paid by the department. 214 dairy farms have been established in AJK under this project so far, he added.
He said that 160,000 chicks, 20,000 breeding birds, and 1,61,000 fertile eggs have been provided in rural areas on cheap rates for the promotion of poultry farming. According to the official statistics gathered in 2006, there are 2.7 million animals, and 4.100 million domestic poultry in AJK. The department of Livestock is committed for providing them the best facilities. 6,23570 animals and 70,60,000 poultry were vaccinated during the year 2020. 616969 cases of animals were registered. They all were given the treatment facilities by the department of Livestock, he further said.
DG Livestock, Dr. Matloob Hussain Raja said that free chicks are being distributed among 4.5 million deserving women under Backyard Poultry Production for Women in AJK Project. This project is of cost Rs 93.975 million. The department has initiated Strengthening of Semen Production Unit in Jatlan with the cost of Rs 32.588 for facilitating the artificial breeding in AJK. All the districts of the state have been provided with the best facilities to ensure the provision of quality milk to the citizens, he added.
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