Government Launches Scheme to Employ 10,000 Youth in Agricultural Sector

The J&K Tribal Affairs Department has launched an ambitious initiative to provide gainful employment to 10,000 tribal youth, in addition to a variety of skill development courses and employment options.

The Sheep Husbandry department formally launched Phase-I of the small Sheep Farm scheme with a draw of lots among applicants from several districts. In phase I of the Sheep Farming Scheme, 1500 youth were chosen.

The Tribal Affairs department's mini Sheep Farm scheme aimed to build 1500 mini Sheep Farms this year, with a 30% increase each year after that. The scheme calls for the establishment of more than 10,000 such sheep farming units over the following four years.

The initiative is being implemented by the Sheep Husbandry Department with the full participation of tribal farmers. The Sheep Husbandry Department has also launched an awareness campaign in order to elicit a stronger response from tribal concentration regions.

More than 6000 applications were received in different areas under the flagship initiative, which was launched in 13 districts for the development of 835 mini Sheep Farms. The scheme is entirely sponsored by the J&K Tribal Affairs Department.

A total of 5225 applicants were found eligible under the scheme, and a draw was held in each of the 13 districts to select 835 tribal youth to establish Sheep Farms. Furthermore, each district has kept a 10% waiting list of qualified aboriginal youngsters. District Sheep Husbandry Officers oversaw the draw, which was held in the presence of DDC members, BDC Chairpersons, and PRI members. The flagship initiative is overseen by the Director of Sheep Husbandry, Kashmir/Jammu.

In addition, under the Skill Development component of Mission Youth, two youth will be trained for each of the Sheep Farms, providing potential for value addition and market connections. The Tribal Affairs Department has enlisted the Agriculture Skill Council of India to train 1500 youth in Phase I, in collaboration with Mission Youth and the J&K Skill Development Mission. Financial institutions have also been enlisted to provide financial assistance to tribal youth who wish to create larger Sheep Farms with 200-500 cattle.

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