JAMMU, Aug 22: The Jammu Kashmir Dairy Farmers Association (JKDFA) has appealed to the government to take comprehensive measures to empower dairy farmers and strengthen the dairy sector in Jammu and Kashmir. Association President Sunil Kumar Sharma said that timely government support and practical interventions are essential to make dairy farming more sustainable and financially viable for farmers.
The JKDFA urged the government to ensure timely vaccination and veterinary care for livestock during all seasons. It called for regular preventive and diagnostic services for diseases and health conditions affecting dairy and other livestock, including foot-and-mouth disease, mastitis, milk fever, brucellosis, bovine tuberculosis, bloat and other ailments affecting lactating and non-lactating animals such as cows, buffaloes, goats, sheep, oxen and calves.
The Association also sought financial support for dairy farmers in view of the rising cost of fodder. It appealed to the government to provide appropriate subsidies and other assistance to reduce the impact of increasing fodder prices and help farmers sustain their livestock-based livelihoods.
The JKDFA further called for the establishment of dedicated diagnostic teams to conduct regular and surprise inspections of milk and milk products. It said such teams should monitor quality, hygiene, storage and preservation practices in accordance with Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) norms, ensuring quality and safety for both consumers and producers.
The Association also urged the government to prepare an annual training calendar for dairy farmers. It said regular training programmes should familiarise farmers with modern and hi-tech dairy farming practices, scientific livestock management, efficient use of resources and measures to protect dairy enterprises from natural disasters and other risks.
The JKDFA welcomed the policies and developmental initiatives undertaken by the Government of India and the J&K UT Government for the dairy sector. However, the Association maintained that further efforts are required to make dairy farmers and their families self-reliant and financially secure.
Sunil Kumar Sharma, President, JKDFA, said the Association would continue to work at the grassroots level and extend cooperation to the government in implementing initiatives aimed at improving the livelihood and economic condition of dairy farmers. He emphasised that coordinated efforts among the government, farmers and stakeholders were necessary to build a strong, sustainable and prosperous dairy sector in Jammu and Kashmir.