Minister calls for roadmap to make J&K wool industry globally competitive
Srinagar : Minister for Agriculture Production, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Cooperative and Election Department, Javid Ahmad Dar, Thursday chaired a meeting to review the status of wool industry and progress achieved under 27 projects of the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP) aimed at strengthening the sheep husbandry and wool sector in Jammu and Kashmir.
The meeting was attended by Additional Chief Secretary, Agriculture Production Department, Dr Ashish Chandra Verma; Mission Director, HADP, Sagar Dattatray Doifode; Director Sheep Husbandry, Kashmir; Director Finance, APD; representatives of the wool industry and other senior officers and stakeholders.
The meeting held a detailed assessment of the existing wool production ecosystem, infrastructure, processing and shearing facilities, HADP interventions, market linkages and value addition. It also deliberated on measures required to enhance the returns to sheep breeders and create sustainable livelihood opportunities for rural youth.
Addressing the meeting, Javid Dar called for a comprehensive strategy to transform the wool sector of Jammu and Kashmir from a largely raw-material-based activity into a modern, value-added and market-driven industry.
The Minister directed the concerned departments to identify the villages and clusters with a high concentration of livestock and substantial potential for wool production and develop them as specialised wool-production and processing clusters. He called for focused interventions in such areas, including capacity building, modern shearing practices, wool grading, processing, value addition, packaging and marketing.
Emphasising the importance of improving the quality of locally produced wool, Javid Dar directed the department to organise specialised training programmes for the sheep breeders, rural entrepreneurs and youth in modern wool processing and allied activities. He stressed that improving quality at the production level, coupled with modern processing and effective marketing, would substantially enhance the economic value of J&K wool.
The Minister laid special emphasis on youth engagement in the wool and livestock sector. He directed the officers to ensure that young people are provided adequate training, technology, financial assistance, infrastructure and market support to take up wool processing, value addition and allied enterprises as viable livelihood and entrepreneurial activities.
He further directed for strict monitoring and regular performance assessment of Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) receiving financial assistance under different components of HADP. He called for ensuring that subsidies and government support are utilised effectively and translate into measurable improvements in production, productivity, value addition, employment and farmers’ income.
Javid Dar stressed the need for stronger convergence among the Sheep Husbandry Department, HADP, industry stakeholders, FPOs and other concerned agencies to establish an integrated wool value chain in Jammu and Kashmir. He called for greater emphasis on breeding, sheep health, scientific shearing, wool collection, grading, processing, value addition, branding and market linkages. He said that a well-developed value chain would not only increase the income of sheep breeders but also generate employment and entrepreneurial opportunities in rural areas.
“The wool industry has the potential to become a game changer for sheep breeders, farmers and rural youth,” the Minister said, stressing that the sector must be developed as a commercially viable industry rather than being confined to traditional production practices.
He directed the officers to ensure timely implementation of all approved HADP interventions, effective utilisation of funds and regular field-level monitoring besides undertaking periodic assessment of the economic impact of these interventions on sheep breeders.
Earlier, Director Sheep Husbandry made a detailed PowerPoint Presentation on the present status of the sheep and wool sector, achievements made so far and various initiatives undertaken to strengthen the industry under HADP and other schemes.
It was informed that Jammu and Kashmir has one of the largest sheep populations in the country, with around 43 lakh sheep. The Union Territory produces approximately 8.6 million kg of wool annually, with an average production of around 1.9 kg per sheep per year. Around 30 per cent of the wool produced is consumed within J&K while the remaining quantity is marketed outside the Union Territory.
The meeting was informed that 431 wool shearing units have been established under the Integrated Sheep Development Scheme (ISDS) and HADP with 50 per cent subsidy support. These units are aimed at improving the shearing efficiency, enhancing wool quality and ensuring better animal welfare.
The Director also apprised the meeting of various HADP interventions undertaken for improving the economic returns of sheep breeders and promoting wool and pelts through scientific processing, value addition and effective marketing.
It was informed that a budget of Rs 64 crore has been earmarked for the relevant interventions for a five-year period, against which Rs 43.57 crore has already been released.
The Minister directed the concerned officers to accelerate implementation of the remaining interventions, ensure proper utilisation of the released funds and establish robust monitoring mechanis This would ensure that the benefits of HADP reach the grassroots level and contribute tangibly towards increasing the income of sheep breeders.
