Srinagar, Feb 07 : The Jammu and Kashmir government on Saturday said it is introducing and promoting high-yielding and improved varieties of cows, sheep, buffaloes, poultry and mutton-producing breeds across the Union Territory to improve livestock productivity.
Replying to an unstarred Assembly question by MLA Javaid Riyaz, the Agriculture Production Department said the initiatives are being implemented under approved national and UT-level schemes and are not confined to any specific district.
The government said that under the National Livestock Mission, 310 Australian Merino sheep were imported in 2010 for genetic upgradation aimed at improving wool and meat productivity.
It said that under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP), particularly Project-3.1 on self-sustenance in mutton production, the introduction of improved and mutton-producing breeds such as Dorper, Texel, Romanov, Swiss Alpine, Finn sheep and Boer goats has been planned in a phased manner from 2024–25 to 2027–28, subject to evaluation and availability of resources.
“During 2024–25, 900 Dorper and Texel sheep have been imported and are being maintained for scientific breeding,” the department said.
For strengthening the dairy sector, the government said it is upgrading breeding infrastructure and has initiated arrangements for the import of 40 high-genetic-merit bulls through the Directorate of Animal Husbandry, J&K, and 100 Jersey cows through SKUAST-Kashmir.
The reply further said that under HADP and the Integrated Poultry Development Programme, improved poultry varieties including Vanaraja, Lohmann Brown, Black Australorp and Sussex have been introduced based on local agro-climatic suitability.
The government also said it is using artificial insemination, embryo transfer techniques and other approved breeding technologies for the multiplication and dissemination of improved germplasm.
“These interventions are being implemented across the Union Territory and are not restricted to any particular area. Distribution and utilisation of improved germplasm is carried out after technical assessment and in accordance with scheme guidelines,” the reply said.(KNS).
