Anantnag, Mar 31 (KNO): The Government on Tuesday said it has undertaken a comprehensive set of interventions to promote and strengthen the dairy sector in the Shangus–Anantnag East constituency, with a strong focus on self-employment and entrepreneurship among rural youth.
Replying to a question by MLA Riyaz Ahmad Khan, the Agriculture Production Minister as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) informed that multiple centrally and UT-sponsored schemes are being implemented to enhance livestock productivity, improve dairy infrastructure, and generate sustainable livelihood opportunities.
The Minister said that genetic upgradation of livestock is being carried out through artificial insemination services under the Rashtriya Gokul Mission, including the use of improved germplasm such as sexed semen. “Vaccination and disease control measures are being implemented under the National Animal Disease Control Programme to ensure better animal health and productivity,” the Minister stated.
He added that awareness and training programmes for farmers are being conducted under Krishonnati Yojana (SAME-ATMA component) to equip them with modern dairy practices.
To promote dairy-based entrepreneurship, the Department is facilitating financial and technical support under schemes like the Integrated Dairy Development Scheme (IDDS) and the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP). Under HADP, targeted initiatives such as Project-23 (Dairy Development) and Project-28 (Fodder Development) are being implemented to support the establishment of dairy units, improve fodder availability, and enhance milk production.
The Minister said efforts are underway to strengthen the dairy value chain through the establishment of milk collection centres, Automatic Milk Collection Units (AMCUs), Bulk Milk Coolers (BMCs), and small-scale processing units. “These facilities will enable production of value-added dairy products like dahi, paneer, ghee, butter, ice cream, and khoa, thereby increasing farmers’ income,” he said.
The government is also encouraging the formation of dairy cooperative societies, Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), and Self Help Groups (SHGs) to promote collective marketing and improve access to institutional support.
Providing details of beneficiaries, the Minister said that during the past two financial years, a significant number of people in the constituency have benefited from various schemes. Under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme, 434 beneficiaries were covered under Project-28 (Fodder Development), while 6 beneficiaries received support under Project-23 (Dairy Development). Additionally, 27 beneficiaries were covered under the Integrated Dairy Development Scheme (IDDS), and 394 individuals benefited through Kisan Credit Card (KCC) support in the dairy sector.
“The implementation of these initiatives has led to increased milk production, improved grassroots-level dairy infrastructure, and enhanced livelihood opportunities,” the Minister said, adding that the schemes have also encouraged self-employment among rural youth.
The department will continue expanding coverage, conducting capacity-building programmes, and introducing need-based interventions to further boost income generation and employment in the dairy sector, subject to availability of funds and viability of proposals—(KNO)