J&K Govt approves Rs 329 Cr project to achieve self-reliance in meat sector

The project is aimed at creating 6000 jobs besides setting up 122 enterprises in the meat sector.

In order to reduce meat imports in Jammu and Kashmir, the government has approved an ambitious Rs 329 crore project for the next five years to achieve self-reliance in the meat sector. The project aims to create 6000 jobs besides setting up 122 enterprises in the meat sector in the region.

The project includes the import of meat breeds, which will lead to the establishment of 72 breed-based farms to provide high genetic merit to animals. Additionally, the project aims to conduct 100000 Artificial Insemination (AIs) annually and establish 400 new commercial farms every year. The project also focuses on the creation of clusters, mandis, abattoirs and common facilitcentresrs (CFCs), to support marketing and value addition of the sector.

Under the project, 50 Farmer Producer Organisations (FPO) and Self Help Groups will be linked to 10 new abattoirs and in-built value chains integrated with 10 sheep mandis and 50 CFCs. Meat is an essential part of a shortfall of 41 per cent leading to an import bill of ₹1400 crore every year. Meat production is not only of insufficient quantity but also lacks quality. The state has less than five breeds of sheep with the majority being dual-purpose breeds such as Kashmir Merino, Rambouillet, and Corriedale. However, there is increasing demand for fast-growing meat breeds like Dorper, Romnov, South Down and others.

The project is aimed at creating 6000