Reviews wool sector, HADP interventions
SRINAGAR, JULY 30: 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 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.
