The information was given by the Director Animal Husbandry (Jammu), Vivek Sharma along with Director Tribal Affairs (Jammu) Salim Malik during their visit to Chakroi in R S Pura area in connection with establishment of “milk village’ under tribal sub-plan.
The officers interacted with the local inhabitants of the area and informed them that Government has initiated a number of steps to promote milk production and extend market oriented facilities to the farming community.
As step in this direction a Milk Village is being set up shortly in Chakroi with an aim is to boost the Gujjar communities’ economy & thereby improving their living standards, they said.
It was informed that the Animal Husbandry Department with active support of Tribal affairs Department & members of PRIs will identify around 100 interested beneficiaries in the village Chakroi, who would be provided financial assistance up to 75% of the cost of Dairy animals subject to permissible ceilings for the establishment of dairy units.
“Apart from dairy animals each beneficiary will be provided milk cans, chaff cutters etc required for the improvement of their trade” they were told.
Other facilities in the shape of AMCU (Automated Milk collection Unit & BMC (Bulk Milk Cooler) shall be created in the village itself for ensuring that such backward and deprived lot of the society may not be deceived on account of sale of their product.
The farmers were made aware about various other departmental schemes and advised to come forward and take out maximum benefits in this direction. Stress was also laid upon conversion of animal excreta into vermicompost.
Besides departmental officers & representatives from the JKMPCL, Sarpanch , Liaqat Ali also participated in the said programme.