Kupwara : The District Development Commissioner (DDC), Bandipora Dr. Owais Ahmad on Monday attended valedictory function of at a training programme on Machine Sheep Shearing & Community Animal Healthcare Services under Aspiratinal Block Development Programne (ABDP) at Sheep Husbandry Complex Mastan, Dawar Gurez.
The programme was attended by, SDM Gurez Dr Mudasir, BDC chairman, Experts of SKUAST Station Izmarg Dr Bilal and Dr Nazir, PRIs, trainees besides progressive farmers & entrepreneurs.
DDC on the occasion said that sheep farming plays a pivotal role in nutritional security and employment generation in J&K. He said a large number of farmers in the district are solely dependent on sheep production for earning their livelihood, especially in far flung areas like Gurez & Tulail.
DDC informed that the district has a sheep population of 2.62 lakh with mutton and wool production of 14.64 lac kgs & 4.32 lac kgs, respectively. He said that district administration is taking every step to promote sheep farming in the district and and a large number of young educated youth are showing keen interest to establish their own sheep farming ventures in the private sector.
Dr Owais hailed the efforts of the department for conducting a skill development training program for the youth of far flung areas of Gurez Sub Division. He said that such program increases the chances of youth employability and income generation.
While distributing shearing machines and gensets among the trainees, the DDC urged the youth to work in tandem with the departmental field functionaries to serve the poor marginal farmers in hard to reach areas.
