Shopian, Apr 8: The animal husbandry sector in south Kashmir’s Shopian district has recorded notable gains in 2025–26, with government-backed schemes driving expansion in dairy, poultry and fodder development, according to official data under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP).
Under the dairy development component (P-23), the district has witnessed targeted growth in infrastructure and value addition. Two satellite heifer units have been established, along with a milk value addition unit and five Automatic Milk Collection Units (AMCUs). Officials said these interventions—aimed at strengthening the dairy value chain from production to procurement—have achieved a financial outlay of ₹104.29 lakh, reflecting significant investment in improving milk quality and farmer returns.
The poultry sector, often seen as a quick-income avenue for rural households, has also received a boost. Under the poultry development roadmap (P-25), 17 free-range poultry units have been set up with a financial outlay of ₹17 lakh. Officials said the initiative signals a shift towards sustainable, low-input poultry farming, particularly beneficial for small and marginal farmers.
Fodder security has emerged as another key focus area under P-28. The programme has facilitated the establishment of three silage-making units, three hydroponic units, four chaff cutters, 18 fodder development plots and the distribution of 35 seed kits. With a financial achievement of ₹39.96 lakh, the initiative seeks to address the long-standing challenge of quality feed availability, a critical factor in livestock productivity.
Meanwhile, the Integrated Dairy Development Scheme (P-30) has enabled the establishment of 44 dairy units, alongside the distribution of three milking machines and two vermicompost units. With an expenditure of ₹75.77 lakh, the scheme aims to modernise dairy practices while promoting organic waste management.
The cumulative impact of these interventions is reflected in improved production and service delivery indicators. Official data show milk production has reached 75.633 thousand tonnes, while egg output stands at 5.356 million. In the breeding sector, over 34,810 artificial inseminations have been carried out, resulting in 9,972 births—indicating enhanced livestock genetics and reproductive efficiency.
Animal healthcare services have also expanded significantly. More than 2.29 lakh doses of cattle vaccines and 55,800 doses for poultry have been administered. Additionally, 1.77 lakh deworming doses have been delivered, and 67,619 cases treated, highlighting strengthened veterinary outreach and disease control efforts.
Extension activities remain a key pillar of the programme, with 121 awareness camps conducted to educate farmers on best practices, disease prevention and modern livestock management techniques, officials said.
Complementing these efforts, the DAJGUA-NLM initiative has supported the establishment of three small-scale poultry units (100 birds each), with financial assistance of ₹0.75 lakh. Though modest in scale, officials noted that such interventions play a vital role in promoting grassroots entrepreneurship and livelihood diversification.
