JK to boost decreased production of poultry

Srinagar, Sep 12: Despite making all out efforts to give a boost to local production, Jammu and Kashmir, particularly, the Valley, is importing poultry worth crores of rupees annually. As many as 30,000 birds are being consumed by people in Kashmir Valley every day. However, the number increases during festivals, holy month of Ramzan and marriage ceremonies.

Officials said that as many as, 415 Poultry Cooperatives involving the membership of more than 8,500 individuals have been established in the state to help creation of self employment with the government assistance.

This would also give a boost to local production of poultry birds.

They said out of the above number, over 115 poultry cooperatives have commenced business with 15.10 lakh birds per annum rearing capacity.

To facilitate the working of poultry cooperatives the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) funding has also been arranged.

They said a total of 56 projects were sent to the NCDC in the first phase, of which nine projects have been sanctioned involving project cost of Rs 4.34 crore.

Against the sanctioned projects, an amount of Rs 2.46 crore has been released to the poultry cooperatives upto March 31, 2008.

Twenty seven projects have been sanctioned by the NCDC in the 2nd phase involving a project cost of Rs 5.52 crore with a rearing capacity of 9.25 lakh birds per annum.

The projects on completion will be meeting the local demand of poultry birds in the state.

UNI