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SRINAGAR: Minister for Agriculture Production, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Cooperative and Election Department, Javid Ahmad Dar, today visited the Sheep Breeding Farm at Khimber and reviewed the ongoing breeding programmes and developmental activities.
The Minister stressed the need for transformative and scientific interventions to revolutionise the sheep sector in Jammu and Kashmir, enhancing the productivity towards greater self-sufficiency in mutton production.
Highlighting the government’s Embryo Transfer Technology (ETT) programme, he said establishment of ETT laboratories across districts will enable rapid multiplication of superior germplasm and accelerate genetic improvement. He said that the Cabinet has approved establishment of 20 ETT laboratories, one in each district, as a major intervention in this direction.
Javid Dar also stressed the importance of scientifically utilising high-genetic-merit imported breeds, including Texel and Dorper, for strengthening the local breeding programmes. He said the focus should be on transferring superior genetic traits into locally adapted populations to improve meat productivity and strengthen the domestic mutton sector.
The Minister directed the department to ensure scientific selection, conservation and multiplication of quality germplasm and its wider dissemination among farmers. He also directed that a transparent, scientifically formulated SOP be notified for allocation of breeding sheep to farmers, ensuring objective selection of beneficiaries, proper utilisation of superior germplasm and wider access to quality breeding stock.
He called for greater participation of youth in modern sheep husbandry, emphasising its potential for entrepreneurship, employment and strengthening rural livelihoods. He directed the department to provide aspiring young farmers with training, technical guidance and handholding support.
The officers informed that Khimber Farm maintains fine-wool and specialised breeds, including imported and Australian lines besides cross-bred varieties such as Kashmir Merino and supports the local breeding programmes through the distribution of quality breeding rams.
The Minister emphasised that the combined thrust on district-level ETT infrastructure and high-genetic-merit breeding programmes should translate into measurable gains in sheep productivity and help Jammu and Kashmir move towards a more self-reliant mutton production sector.
