Saroor
Jammu, Jan 30: To assess the development of fodder in the Union Territory, the Jammu and Kashmir administration has framed a Task Force headed by Administrative Secretary, Agriculture Production Department as its Chairperson.
Official sources said that the government has constituted the Task Force for fodder development across the Jammu and Kashmir that will assess the current status of fodder availability in the UT of J&K, including types of fodder, their yield and quality and evaluate the reasons for huge (above 40 percent) fodder deficiency in the UT.
They said that the Task Force will also evaluate the existing sources of fodder, such as cultivated lands, community pasture lands (Gauthan), and degraded forest lands.
The Task Force, sources said, shall comprise a nine members committee to be headed by Administrative Secretary, Agriculture Production Department as its Chairperson.
Meanwhile Administrative Secretary, Department of Forest, Ecology and Environment (or his representative, not below the rank of Additional Secretary) shall be the member, Administrative Secretary, Department of Rural Development & Panchayati Raj as member, Secretary/Special Secretary in the Agriculture Production Department as member, Director, Animal Husbandry Department, Jammu/Kashmir. As Member(s), (Senior most among the Officers shall be the Member Secretary), Director, Sheep Husbandry Department, Jammu/Kashmir as Member(s), Director, Horticulture Department, Jammu/Kashmir as Member(s), Director,Agriculture Department, Jammu/Kashmir as Member(s) and Director Research, SKUAST, Jammu/Kashmir as Member(s).
They further said that the Task Force shall also evaluate the existing sources of fodder, such as cultivated lands, community pasture lands (Gauthan), and degraded forest lands, adding, “the committee will explore strategies to promote the re-development/rejuvenation of community pasture lands (Gauthan) and degraded forest lands for fodder cultivation by involving local communities.”
The committee, sources said, will also evaluate the impact of implementation of the ‘Fodder project under Holistic Agriculture Development Program (HADP)’ as well as implementation of ‘Sub-mission on Feed and Fodder Development’ under CSS National Livestock Mission (NLM) on reducing the fodder deficit in the UT.
“It will establish partnerships with Agricultural Universities, collaboration among all stakeholders and environmental organizations to leverage expertise and resources to extend technical assistance, and undertake training of farmers to increase fodder productivity and area under fodder cultivation,” adding they said that it will also explore the use of arable and non-arable land, wasteland, government farms, and grasslands in remote areas for fodder cultivation.
“The Task Force will promote afforestation and Agroforestry practices to grow trees and shrubs that provide fodder while improving soil quality,” they said.
