MoU with New Zealand to Improve Sheep Husbandry Sector: ACS Atal Dulloo

Additional Chief Secretary (ACS), Atal Dulloo, announced the signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with New Zealand. He stated that under the MoU between India and New Zealand, the sheep husbandry sector would be developed with world-class technology and expertise.

He made the remarks at Kisan Bhawan, where he inaugurated a one-day Technical Workshop-cum-Seminar on "Latest Technical Interventions in Sheep and Goat Husbandry Sector in the Union Territory." Prof JP Sharma, Vice Chancellor of SKUAST Jammu, was the honoured guest at the event.

According to a press release by Jammu and Kashmir's Department of Information and Public Relations, Atal Dulloo stressed the importance of breed improvement in increasing mutton production to meet the union territory's 40% deficit. He also advocated for advances in germplasm production via artificial insemination and embryo transfer technologies.

The ACS advocated for greater healthcare access in alpine pastures and other remote areas of Jammu and Kashmir. He emphasised the critical importance of vaccine development. Atal Dulloo spoke about the union territory's fodder scarcity and advocated for farmers to be provided with wool aggregation facilities and assistance in forming farmers producers organisations.

Dulloo emphasized that the integrated Sheep Development Scheme has benefited many farmers and urged the scheme's continuation. Prof JP Sharma stated that the sector provides a source of income for the poorer sections of society. Furthermore, he emphasized the importance of value addition and post-production processing to increase the income of those working in the sector.

Meanwhile, in his welcome address, Director Sheep Husbandry Jammu, Krishan Lal, stated that veterinarians and paramedics from the sector would be informed about the latest developments in disease investigation, animal nutrition, embryo transfer technology, and artificial insemination, among other things.

Krishan Lal emphasized that the department intends to increase mutton production and promote cross-breeding with superior breeds. He stated that seven departmental farms were collaborating to improve the quality of germ plasma. Director Agriculture Jammu KK Sharma, Managing Director JK Agro Dr. Arun Manhas, Joint Director Farms Jammu, Joint Director Extension Jammu, and other senior officers and department staff attended the event.