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Chapter 8 Animal Husbandry
219
CHAPTER - 8
ANIMAL HUSBANDRY
Man-animal association has been continuing since ages. Animals had
been providing mobility to man in all parts of the world till the advent of
technological revolution which ultimately culminated in the development of
motorised transport. Livestock play a vital role in the lives of hundreds of
millions of people. They supply not only meat, milk and by-product as they do
in the industrialized world but also 85% of draft power used in the world’s
agriculture; in places such as India and Pakistan, 40 to 60% of all goods taken
to market are transported by camel, donkeys, and oxen1. There can be no
division of opinion on the fact that only through activities under animal
husbandry development can the standard of human nutrition be raised to the
optimum level by enhancing production of animal proteins and other foods of
animal origin which are in great demand due to the rise in the standard of food
habits, physical fitness and to combat disease intrusions. In places where
agriculture cannot be harnessed to its optimum potential because of certain
climatic constraints the farming of livestock becomes more significant. It
provides an alternative source of income and engages a considerable section of
the population which otherwise has to bear the wrath of unemployment.
Furthermore, for pastoral societies livestock are also symbols of wealth and
prestige and serve for payment of a bride price, for inheritance purposes, as
insurance against harvest failure or catastrophic drought, and as a source of
easily cashable investment capital.2
The history of animal husbandry in the state of Jammu and Kashmir is as
old as that of its civilization. Throughout its history the state witnessed the
continuous influx of various types of cattle which ultimately resulted in the
1 Gerald M ward and Thomas M. Sutherford, “Animals as energy source in third world”, in
Science New Series, vol. 208, No. 4444 ( May 9, 1990) pp-570-574, American Association for advancement of Science .
2 Ibid.
Chapter 8 Animal Husbandry
220
development of its non-descript type of cattle.3 The Aryans are presumed to
have brought with them the animals with white body coat; the Sindhi cattle are
considered to have been introduced by the Pathans whereas Sikhs are believed
to be responsible for bringing in Hariana and Sahiwal cattle.4 Walter Lawrence
describes the non-descript Kashmiri cattle as small, hardy and conservative in
habits, superior in quality in the tracts around Wular [Lake] and in the North-
west of the valley than those in the South. The superior cows were locally called
as parimgao and the special features they possessed were attributed to the
presence of Punjabi blood. 5
Being agro-climatically and topographically suited to the development
of livestock, which holds importance that cannot be ignored without ignoring
human welfare, and owing to the presence of lush green pastures and meadows,
plenty of water bodies, common grazing grounds in and around the villages,
and limited arable land, livestock in Jammu and Kashmir had been serving as a
reliable source of subsistence from the very early times.6 They played a very
vital role in the economic development of the state and formed an integral part
of the state agriculture; about 75% population of the state of Jammu and
Kashmir is still dependent on agriculture which is the main occupation7.
Besides food and nutrition, sizeable contribution to the total milk production
of the state had been made by the cow;8 sheep provided valuable manure for
improving agricultural productivity. The skin of the sheep had a high
commercial value and the quality of their wool varied from fine to coarse. Goat
hair had been used for the centuries for the making of ropes and the excreta of
3 Government of Jammu and Kashmir, Fifty Years of Animal Husbandry in Kashmir, 1947-1998
(Srinagar: Animal Husbandry Department, Kashmir Division), p. 1. 4 F. A. Kaloo, “Animal Husbandry in Retrospect,” in Fifty Years of Animal Husbandry in
Kashmir, op. cit., p. 150 5 Walter R Lawrence, The Valley of Kashmir (Srinagar: Gulshan Publishers, 2002), p. 358.
6 Government of Jammu and Kashmir, Report of the Committee on Economic Reforms for
Jammu and Kashmir, 1998, p. 133. 7 Government of Jammu and Kashmir, Jammu and Kashmir Economy Performance Analysis,
2007-2008 (Jammu/Srinagar: Directorate of Economics and Statistics), p. 42. 8 71.31% of the total milk production of the state was contributed by cow during the year
2004, S. A. Wani, 90th
Annual Conference of the Indian Economic Association.
Chapter 8 Animal Husbandry
221
goat were used as a valuable fertilizer.9The rearing of animals in the valley had
an additional importance of providing drought power to the peasant. It goes
without saying that even after technological revolution and mechanization of
the world agriculture, the state of Jammu and Kashmir continued to be
dependent on animal power for various agriculture related activities. The
working bullocks continued to carry on their back the whole structure of hill
agriculture and the use of tractors remained confined to the plain areas of the
valley whereas the karewas had been exclusively dependent on animal power
for ploughing and transportation10. The importance of working animals to the
state agriculture can be gauged from the land and plough ratio given in table 6.1
below:
Table 8.1
District wise Land: Plough Ratio in Jammu and Kashmir
District
Net Area sown
Lakh Hectare
(1976-77)
No. of Ploughs
Lakhs
Availability of
land per Plough
(Hectares)
Anantnag 1.34 1.12 1: 1.20
Baramulla 1.34 1.63 1: 0.82
Srinagar 0.80 0.57 1: 1.41
Ladakh 0.18 0.15 1:1.18
Doda 0.49 0.60 1:0.82
Jammu 0.94 0.98 1:0.97
Kathua 0.70 0.25 1:2.84
Poonch 0.25 0.24 1:1.04
Rajouri 0.42 0.41 1:1.02
Udhampur 0.65 0.58 1:1.1
State 7.11 6.53 1:1.09
Source: Agricultural Census Report, 1976-77
9 Excreta of 5000 goats, produced in one night are considered to be sufficient for one hectare
of agriculture land as a valuable fertilizer. Government of India, State Development Report: Jammu and Kashmir (New Delhi: Planning Commission of India, 2003), p. 77.
10 Techno- Economic Survey of Jammu and Kashmir (New Delhi: National Council of Applied
Economic Research, 1969), p. 40.
Chapter 8 Animal Husbandry
222
However, notwithstanding the fact that cattle rearing had been in
voyage in Kashmir from the very early times and had served as an important
secondary source of income to its people but the history of organised animal
farming in this part of the world is relatively not an old one. Following the
recommendations of the Royal Commission for Agriculture (1929), appointed
under the chairmanship of Lord Linlithgow who later on became the viceroy of
India, the Dogra state took some measures towards organised cattle farming in
the state.11 But, initially most of the efforts of the state remained confined to the
development of its [Dogras] own livestock population and that of its close
associates. Farms were set-up for the cattle under personal use of the
Maharaja– a cattle farm was established at Shalteng near Srinagar which
maintained Sindhi and some local cows and bulls,12 another private farm with
some imported cows and bulls of ayershire breed was established at
cheshmashi13. Civil Veterinary Department with two livestock inspectors was
established primarily to provide veterinary care for mules and horses of the
Maharaja’s cavalry. The network of dispensaries setup in the state however, was
not meant for the overall development of the poor man’s cattle but was to treat
the transport animals and detect glanders to avoid import of this disease into
the state from Punjab. Furthermore, the primary objective of the department
remained health care whereas livestock breeding activities remained restricted
to only a few selected places.14.
It was with the establishment of two breeding farms one at Srinagar and
other at Jammu, in the late 1930’s, that the cattle of the state started showing
some qualitative improvements.15The main purpose of the establishment of
such farms was the multiplication and production of bulls for distribution
among the rural masses, far and wide in the state, for the improvement of the
11 F. A. Kaloo, op. cit., p. 1.
12 Ibid.
13 Ibid. Twelve dispensaries were set up during 1920-30s in all and out of these 6 were named
as Road dispensaries and were located on Jhelum Valley Road now in Pakistan occupied Kashmir and Banihal cart road
14 Ibid.
15 Ibid. p. 3. The farms were established at Belicharana in Jammu and Shalteng Srinagar and
were fully functional by 1938-39.
Chapter 8 Animal Husbandry
223
their cattle.16 A premium bull scheme was launched in the state whereby, the
bulls were entrusted to agents picked up from among progressive farmers in
each village.17 The agents maintained them at a maintenance paid by the
government and used them for breeding.18However, despite these efforts the
state could not witness any headway in the development of livestock and
majority of the cattle continued to be of non–descript and inferior quality,
resulting in the very insignificant increase in the production of animals. It was
for this reason that the animal products like milk, eggs, meat etc. were available
only to the rich people, keeping the nutrition standard of the poor low.
The development of livestock received ample impetus in the post-1947
period. In view of the fact that the state owing to its topography and peripheral
nature had a very limited potential for industrialization, the government
emphasised on the development of agriculture and its allied activities.
However, since agriculture could not accommodate the growing population
therefore, the development of livestock became more important for providing
the basic necessities of life to the people of the land.19Nevertheless, the
development of this neglected sector of the state economy became more
important for ameliorating the conditions of Bakerwals, Gujjars and Chopans as
these communities were exclusively dependent on sheep and goat rearing for
their livelihood.20
To ensure the overall development of this livestock sector the
government transformed the Civil Veterinary Department into Animal
Husbandry Department. The change in the nomenclature of the department
highlights the fact that the activities of the department had increased manifold.
Two cattle breeding farms were also set up one each at Srinagar
(Chashmashahi) and the other at Jammu (Belicharana), the old farm at
Shalteng had to wind up and its equipments’ were transferred to the
16
Ibid. 17
Ibid. 18
Ibid. 19
State Development Report: Jammu and Kashmir, op. cit., p. 74. 20
Government of Jammu and Kashmir, Report of the Development Review Committee, Part V: Agriculture and Irrigation, 1977, p. 11.
Chapter 8 Animal Husbandry
224
Chashmashahi farm.21 The up-gradation of cattle through mating with local
selected bulls was given up and the Hariana and Sindhi breeds of cattle were
selected for mating purpose in the Jammu and the Kashmir divisions
respectively.22 During the First Five Year plan, in addition to the 12 Tehsil units
and 42 sub-units, a mobile veterinary laboratory at Jammu and one mobile
veterinary unit and 2 artificial insemination centres were setup at Srinagar.23
Through these measures the breeding of cattle through artificial insemination
in the state became possible for the first time in 1954.24
Furthermore, a programme of castration was launched in the state to
remove the less productive and high consuming cattle. Through the efforts of
the state livestock rearing became integral for the sustainability of the economy
of the state, contributing a significant proportion to the state domestic product
and served as a reliable source of subsistence.25 In 1961-62, animal husbandry
contributed an income of Rs 797 lakhs, which amounted to 8.5% of the net
income of the state26 while as in 2006-07 it contributed about 10% to the state
domestic product.27 The livestock sector not only engaged a sizeable part of the
working force in animal rearing but also in processing, transportation, and sale
of animal products.28 The importance of agriculture and animal husbandry
sectors to the state economy can be gauged from the fact that about 79% of the
rural population in 2004 was dependent on the income generated by these two
sectors.29 However, it is pertinent to mention that livestock rearing in Jammu
and Kashmir was more dependent on the status of its own Common Property
21
Fifty Years of Animal Husbandry, op. cit., p. 3. 22
Ibid. p. 3. 23
Government of Jammu and Kashmir, First Five Year Plan, Department of Planning (Srinagar: Department (Srinagar: Department of Information).
24 Fifty Years of Animal Husbandry, op. cit., p. 7.
25 Report of the Committee on Economic Reforms for Jammu and Kashmir, 1998, op. cit., p.
133. 26
Techno- Economic Survey of Jammu and Kashmir, op. cit., p. 39. 27
Government of Jammu and Kashmir, Economic Review of Jammu and Kashmir, 2006-07 (Srinagar: Directorate of Economics and Statistics, Planning and Development Department), p.100.
28 90
th Annual Conference of Indian Economic Association: The Jammu and Kashmir
Economy, p. 210. 29
State Development Report, op. cit. p. 74.
Chapter 8 Animal Husbandry
225
Resources [CPR] viz. village pastures, community forests, waste lands, village
ponds, tanks etc than on the import of complacent inputs from outside. This
was so because Jammu and Kashmir besides being mountainous lies at the
periphery of India– multiplying the costs of transportation–, thereby, making
livestock rearing through the import of feed and fodder an economically
unviable. It is, therefore, not for nothing that voices are being raised in the
state from different quarters regarding the conservations of common property
resources.
Livestock Population and Development
The state of Jammu and Kashmir has different types of livestock, the
important being cow, buffalo, goat, sheep, rabbit, yak, etc. Since 1947 there had
been a sharp increase in the livestock population of the state. The livestock
population increased from 32.19 lakh in 1951-52 to 87.07 lakh in 1987-88
indicating an increase of 170 per cent. The specie–wise livestock population in
the State from 1951 to 1997 is tabulated as under:
Table 8.2
Quinquennial Livestock Census (Figs. in Lakhs)
Year Total
cattle
Total
buffaloes
Sheep Goats Horses &
Ponies
Other
livestock
Total
livestock
1951 13.19 3.05 9.78 4.87 0.59 0.72 32.19
1956 17.57 3.74 14.65 8.15 0.79 0.18 45.08
1961 18.40 1.01 11.62 5.77 0.69 0.34 40.05
1966 17.90 4.28 11.51 6.05 0.65 0.36 41.79
1972 20.56 4.92 10.72 5.69 0.60 0.33 42.85
1977 21.38 4.99 12.16 6.91 0.69 0.43 46.58
1982 23.25 5.63 19.09 10.04 1.27 0.54 59.82
1987 14.60 0.52 12.41 3.41 0.61 0.31 31.86
1992 30.50 7.32 29.47 17.66 1.95 0.17 87.07
1997 31.754 7.878 31.695 18.095 1.412 0.799 91.633
Source: i) Fifty Years of Animal Husbandry in Kashmir ii) Economic Review of Jammu and Kashmir, 2006-07
Chapter 8 Animal Husbandry
226
From the table above it is very much clear that the livestock population
of the state increased by about 180% during the period between 1951 and 1997.
The figures mentioned in the table make it amply clear that cattle, sheep, goat,
and buffalo had been the important animals reared in the state. However, it is
worth to mention that the density of livestock per sq.km of the state had not
been uniform, the variations being the result of a variety of factors Viz. area
under Permanent pastures and other grazing lands, Net Sown Area and the
alternative employment opportunities provided by the region/district.
According to the Livestock Census Report 1977, the state had 3009 cattle
available for one thousand hectares of the net cultivated area [approximately 3
cattle per hectare] which increased to 4313 cattle per thousand hectares of
cultivated land in 1997-98.30 Furthermore, it is worth to mention that the
number of livestock per 1000 human population as per census 2003 in the state
of Jammu and Kashmir was 926 animals while as it was only 457 at all India
level, hence reflecting the potential and importance of the sector to the state
economy. The Average livestock per household as per the census figures of 2001
works out to six animals per household for Jammu and Kashmir State as
compared to about three animals per house hold at the national level.31 The
inter-district variations in livestock density of the state during the period under
reference can be gauged from table [3] which shows the livestock density
variations for the year 2003.
30
Calculated on the basis of the data shown in: Digest of Statistics, 2004 (Directorate of Economics and Statistics, Planning and Development Department), p. 83 and Economic Review of Jammu and Kashmir 2006-07, op. cit., p. 101.
31 Livestock census 2001 vide Economic Review of Jammu and Kashmir-2006-07, op. cit., p. 101
Chapter 8 Animal Husbandry
227
Table 8.3
District-wise Livestock Density in the State of Jammu and Kashmir for
the year 2003
S.No. District Livestock per sq.km of area 2003
1 Anantnag 169
2 Pulwama 264
3 Srinagar 115
4 Budgam 240
5 Baramulla 151
6 Kupwara 133
7 Leh 9
8 Kargil 18
9 Jammu 242
10 Udhampur 355
11 Doda 129
12 Kathua 280
13 Rajouri 499
14 Poonch 484
J&K State 98
Source: Livestock censuses, Vide Economic Review of Jammu and Kashmir 2006-07.
As shown in the table above the density of livestock was highest in
district Rajouri followed by Doda from the Jammu region and in Pulwama
followed by Budgam from the Kashmir division. Besides other factors the high
density of livestock in the said districts could be attributed to the greater
availability of permanent pastures and other grazing lands in the
districts.32Moreover, the distribution of livestock in the state also differed in
different zones of the state. For example, the goat was mainly distributed in
Ladakh, Gurez, Karnah, and the hills of Baramulla. There were different kinds
of sheep breeds like Baderwahi, Poonchi, Romboullet (in Jammu region),
32
Poonch from Jammu and Pulwama from Kashmir had the largest area of land under Permanent pastures and other grazing lands. For more details see the Digest of Statistics, 2004-05, op. cit.,
Chapter 8 Animal Husbandry
228
Karnahi, and Gurezi (Kashmir region), Changthangi and some local breeds
(Ladakh).The Kashmir region had about 55% of sheep population followed by
Jammu (about 29%) and Ladakh (about 8%). Yaks are chiefly confined to the
Ladakh region.33 The district wise distribution of the cattle in Kashmir division
as per the census of 1982 is shown as under:
Table 8.4
District-wise Distribution of Cattle in Kashmir
Source: Hand Book of Animal Husbandry Statistics, Department of Animal Husbandry, Kashmir Division, J&K.
Notwithstanding that there had been an appreciable increase in the
population of livestock in the state since 1947 but there is no denying the fact
that most of the indigenous cattle of Kashmir were of ‘non-descript’ type with
poor genetic make-up which considerably impeded the enhancement of
production capacity of the cattle. In 1961 there were 4.24 lakh milch animals
and 5.73 lakh working animals in the state, however, due to the lack of
adequate feed and fodder resources, poor veterinary facilities, inferior breeds 33
State Development Report, op. cit., p. 75.
S.No. District Cattle
Male Female Young stock Total
1 Srinagar 21318 36812 36408 94538
2 Budgam 36467 50374 56827 142868
3 Anantnag 64945 101157 108357 274459
4 Pulwama 42737 61302 74935 178974
5 Baramulla 66584 89321 84350 240225
6 Kupwara 41138 46837 86479 174454
7 Leh 2189 12122 5474 19785
8 Kargil 629 957 5697 18283
Total Kashmir Division 276007 409882 457727 1143617
Chapter 8 Animal Husbandry
229
their quality was poor34. No doubt the sector received generous financial
assistance from the state government as and a number of schemes were
launched by the concerned departments regarding the development of
livestock but there had not been any substantial transformation in this sector.
This was so because the entire exercise of programme implementation in the
livestock sector had been centred round Trial-error Abrogation approach which
resulted in the wastage of resources.35 The following table given below shows
the details of the financial assistance the sector received under different five
year plans:
Table 8.5
[Budgetary provisions and expenditure]
S. No. Plan/year Provision Expenditure
1 First Five Year Plan 24.38 22.16
2 Second Five Year Plan 74.50 47.51
3 Third Five Year Plan 124.94 96.86
4 Plan Holiday
i)1966-67
ii)1967-68
iii)1968-69
58.00
60.78
76.00
25.31
42.65
42.89
5 Fifth Five Year Plan 570 433.86
6 Sixth Five Year Plan 641.48 637.55
7 Seventh Five Year Plan 563.00 746.48
8 Eighth Five Year Plan 1600.00 1581.00
9 Ninth Five Year Plan 4800.00
Source: Five Year Plan Documents, Department of Planning and Development, Govt. of J&K.
34
Techno-Economic Survey of Jammu and Kashmir, op. cit., P. 164. 35
Report of the Committee on Economic Reforms of Jammu and Kashmir, op. cit., p. 133
Chapter 8 Animal Husbandry
230
The major livestock development programmes launched in the state
after 1947 were:
1. Up-gradation of local breeds: This programme was launched during the
first five year plan. Under this programme the department started cattle
breeding farms one at Chashmashahi Kashmir and second at Belicharana
Jammu with an aim of producing breeding bulls to be stationed at hospitals
and dispensaries’ for the up-gradation of the local cattle36. As an extension
of “National Policy on Improvement of cattle” artificial insemination
technique was introduced in the state though on a modest basis and
insemination centres were established at Srinagar and Jammu.
2. Introduction of new breeds and key village scheme: Under this
programme, launched in the state during the first five year plan, the up-
gradation of the local cattle through mating with locally selected bulls was
given up and Hariana and Sindhi breeds of cattle were selected for mating
purpose in the divisions of Jammu and Kashmir divisions respectively.
Villages containing a population of more than 500 breed-able cows and
buffaloes were brought under key village scheme whereby Sindhi and
Hariani cattle were used for breeding37. The scheme was based on the
principle of improved breeding, balanced feeding, scientific management
and prompt disease control.38 Under the same local scrub bulls were
castrated and an attempt was made to maintain records of breeding,
feeding, milk production and incidence of disease. During the second five
year plan the key village scheme got further expansion and natural mating
was replaced by artificial insemination using semen from red Sindhi bulls.
During the year 1961-62, 5600 inseminations were made and 4200 births
recorded, however, the Sindhi breed introduced under the key village
36
F. A. Kaloo, Fifty Years of Animal Husbandry in Kashmir, op. cit., p. 4. 37
F. A. Kaloo, “Development of Livestock in Jammu and Kashmir: A Retrospect” in Kashvet: Kashmir Veterinarian, A Quarterly Technical Journal of Animal Husbandry Department Kashmir, Vol. I, No.1, 1991, p. 13.
38 F. A. Kaloo, Fifty Years of Animal Husbandry in Kashmir, op. cit., p. 5.
Chapter 8 Animal Husbandry
231
scheme for up-gradation of local cattle failed to gain popularity with the
farmers as its performance was not at all impressive.39
3. Hill Area Cattle Development Programme: This scheme was started in
1964 with an objective to improve the cattle of the hilly areas. It was almost
the replica of Key village scheme. Under the scheme jersey rather than red
Sindhi breed was used for the up-gradation of the local bulls.40
4. Intensive Cattle Development Programme: The Intensive Cattle
Development programme was launched in the state in the year 1968-69.
Under the scheme two Intensive Cattle Development Projects were set up in
the milk shed areas of Jammu and Kashmir. Four Regional Cattle
Development blocks were set up under each ICDP and each Regional Cattle
Development block covered 25 centres.41 Superior quality of germ-plasm was
supplied to the centres from the regional centres.42 Through this scheme
the department of animal husbandry got engaged in the genetic
transformation of livestock. A massive cross breeding programme was
launched in the state as a part of the National policy of cross-breeding of
the local cattle with the exotic germ-plasm of jersey breed which was
adopted as a suitable breed for cross breeding /up-grading of the cattle at
the national level. In some pockets where cross breeding through jersey
blood had been introduced over the years and large numbers of cross bred
animals of jersey were available, the second thrust was given to the
maintenance and sustenance of Holstein Friesian crosses subjected to the
availability of fodder in adequate quantity for maintaining and sustenance
of the Holstein crosses.43The introduction of jersey breed initially met some
resistance from the illiterate farming community and a cross bred jersey calf
borne through artificial insemination was axed to death at Bugam 39
Ibid. p. 5. 40
Ibid. 41
Ibid. 42
Government of Jammu and Kashmir, Kashvet: Kashmir Veterinarian, a quarterly technical journal of Animal Husbandry Department, 1992, p. 13.
43 Government of Jammu and Kashmir, Annual Administration Report, 1988-89 (Srinagar:
Directorate of Animal Husbandry Department), p. 4.
Chapter 8 Animal Husbandry
232
Anantnag.44 There was a rumour that the jersey breed was a cross between a
cow and a pig, therefore, the people justified the recourse of axing the cross
and denouncing the said technique. However, during the fourth five year
plan the projects covered population of 2.5 lakhs cattle and buffaloes. The
schemes had provided employment to farmers and livestock owners who
had taken to dairy farming as their supplementary occupation45. The
castration of scrub bulls was an essential component of the intensive cattle
development programme. However, the task was extremely difficult as the
illiterate farming community often reacted violently against it and police
intervention was sought at times. During the fourth five year plan the
scheme was extended to the areas which were uncovered earlier on. The key
village scheme and Hill cattle development scheme were subsequently
wound up and merged with the ICDP. Moreover, during the 6th five year
plan, two frozen semen banks each at Jammu and Kashmir were established
with the assistance of Danish International Development Agency
(Denmark).The frozen semen banks made it possible to extend artificial
insemination facilities to mountainous areas and even those which
remained cut off during the winters. 46
5. Special Livestock Production Programme: The special livestock
programme was launched by the Govt. Of India, Ministry of Agriculture
during the 5th five year plan on the basis of recommendations of National
commission on Agriculture (1976). The programme aimed at organizing and
developing a comprehensive scheme for, breeding, nutrition and health
cover, among the Small/Marginal farmers (SF &MF) and Agricultural
labourers47.
44
Fifty Years of Animal Husbandry, op. cit., p. 5. 45
Government of Jammu and Kashmir, Fifth Five Year Plan (1974-79), Department of Planning and Development, p. 79.
46 Kashvet: Kashmir Veterinarian, 1992, op. cit., p. 13.
47 During the 5
th Five Year Plan it was proposed to import Holstein Friesian and jersey
pedigreed stock to provide breeding bulls for the intensive cattle development projects and other areas; Fifth Five Year Plan, op. cit., p. 80.
Chapter 8 Animal Husbandry
233
During the 5th and the 6th five year plans 183 districts in the country were
brought under the scheme with tangible results evidenced by increasing
availability of essential commodities of human consumption like milk, eggs,
thereby improving the nutritional status of the people besides, generating
subsidiary occupation and income to the beneficiaries48. In the state of Jammu
and Kashmir the scheme was launched in the year 1977-78 with the assistance
of the Central Govt. In the beginning three districts Jammu, Baramulla and
Kathua were brought under the scheme, however, district Kupwara was also
brought under the scheme immediately.49 The main aim of the programme was
the up-liftment of rural masses, 75 percent of which comprised of small
/marginal farmers and Agricultural labourers.50 In order to broaden the scope
of the programme for the benefit of the weaker sections of the rural masses the
nomenclature of the programme was changed to Special Livestock Breeding
Programme to cover non-IRDP beneficiaries belonging to the categories of
small/marginal farmers and agricultural labourers. The programme whose
components were rearing of female cross-bred calves and establishment of
poultry units on 50:50 matching grants51 continued during the 7th Plan as well.
The basic feature of the programme was that the cross bred female calves
generated through the programme should be given cattle feed for proper
growth from 3rd month of age to 32nd month of age as per a standard scale52.
The level of subsidy on feed was 66.50% for marginal farmers and agricultural
labourers and 50% for small farmers53. Similarly in case of the poultry sector the
National Council of Applied Research through its 1969 Techno-Economic Survey
of Jammu and Kashmir Report had recommended that “efforts should be made
48
Government of Jammu and Kashmir, Annual Administration Report, 1987-88 (Srinagar: Directorate of Animal Husbandry Department) p. 21.
49 Government of Jammu and Kashmir, Annual plan 1979-80, Vol. I., Planning and
Development Department, Chapter, “Agriculture and Allied Services”. 50
Annual Administration Report, 1987-88, op. cit., p. 21. 51
A. A. Shaw, “Poultry Development in Kashmir” in Kashmir Veterinarians: A Quarterly Technical Journal of Animal Husbandry Department, Jammu and Kashmir State, Vol.1. No. 1 Jan-March 1991, p. 8.
52 Ibid.
53 Ibid. p. 7.
Chapter 8 Animal Husbandry
234
to encourage setting up of private poultry farms with 200 birds and above.
Assistance to the breeders in the form of subsidy and loan on equipment
should be restricted to regular poultry farms. Also the work of up-grading local
birds by introducing Leghorn and Rhode Island Red varieties should be
extended to such farms.”54 Therefore, poultry units with 100-200 birds were
established and the beneficiaries under the programme were provided subsidy -
33% to marginal farmers and agricultural labourers and 25% to small farmers,
on capital investment only.55 However, it is worth mentioning that the poultry
programme was not as successful as the calf rearing programme because only
units with egg type birds were proposed to be established initially which could
not be done in a big way due to the climatic conditions, overall shortage of
balanced poultry feed and its high prices, resulting into an overall unfavourable
economy of the said egg type units. The programme was later on diversified
and broiler and duck units were included in it56.The feed was manufactured
through the Agro-Industries Development Corporation Limited.57
6. Promotion of superior quality fodder programme: Inadequate fodder
resources of the state had been a serious constraint in the development of
livestock in the state. Highlighting the importance of fodder development
the Techno-Economic Survey Report, 1969 recommended “that the rights of
grazing in the forest areas need to be redefined, the grazing lands and the
pastures should be enclosed and the system of rotational grazing should
replace the existing system of uncontrolled and unregulated grazing, area
under pastures and grazing lands should be increased, the system of stall
feeding should be popularised on a mass scale and fodder crops should be
cultivated under irrigated conditions.”58 The Development Review
Committee, 1977, had the similar type of remarks. It suggested that the
deficiency of fodder could be met through a number of ways– introduction
54
Techno-Economic Survey of Jammu and Kashmir, op. cit., p. 164. 55
Annual Administration Report, 1987-88, op. cit., p. 23. 56
Ibid. p. 24. 57
Fifth Five Year Plan, op. cit., p. 81. 58
Techno-Economic Survey of Jammu and Kashmir, op. cit., p. 164.
Chapter 8 Animal Husbandry
235
of fodder crops in paddy lands, fodder production in orchard areas,
improvement of highland and alpine pastures, release of community
Kahcharia areas from the encroachers and utilisation of agricultural and
industrial wastes.59 In light of the recommendations a separate wing was set
up during the 5th Five Year Plan to promote cultivation of superior quality
fodder varieties by the farmers. Under the scheme seed kits were distributed
among the farmers at subsidised rates/costs.60 A coordinated programme
was launched for the development of Alpine pastures and grazing areas and
stepping up of search for evolving suitable grass and fodder crop seeds for
winter cultivation. Demonstration plots were proposed to be laid to induce
the farmers to raise fodder crops in addition to cereals and other
commercial crops.61 However, no serious thought has been given to develop
rich and quick growing varieties of fodder on high mountain meadows and
barren slopes.62
7. Mass Vaccination programme: With the introduction and incorporation
of exotic cross breeding programme the productivity of the animals had
increased, but at the same time due to strain of higher production,
susceptibility to diseases also increased, therefore, the department of
animal husbandry established a separate wing for disease investigation and
production of biological products like vaccine and sera. Accordingly, the
institution of Animal health cum biological products was set up at Zakoora
Kashmir to conduct research on various types of animal diseases, their
prevention and control.63 The programme of mass vaccination conducted
for specific and scheduled diseases in areas where such diseases were
reported to have occurred and had remained endemic for such diseases
became possible only with the establishment of the institute. The institute
59
Report of the Development Review Committee Jammu and Kashmir, op. cit., p. 12. 60
Government of Jammu and Kashmir, Jammu and Kashmir: Fifty Years (Srinagar: Department of Information, 1998), p. 331.
61 Fifth Five Year Plan, op. cit., p. 81.
62 Report of the Committee on Economic Reforms of Jammu and Kashmir, op. cit., p. 134.
63 Annual Administrative Report 1988-89, op. cit., p. 6.
Chapter 8 Animal Husbandry
236
undertook the manufacturing of some quantity of bacterial vaccines to meet
the demand of the field .The department set up an anti-Rabies vaccine
production unit at Jammu which besides producing Anti-Rabies vaccine for
use in livestock also produced Anti-Rabies vaccine for human use.64 In
addition to the locally produced vaccines, vaccines were also procured from
other Govt /semi Govt institutions from outside the state for the vaccination
of the cattle.
8. Poultry Development programme: Poultry Development has an excellent
potential in the state as majority of the population is non-vegetarian.
Through the efforts of the Animal Husbandry Department poultry
production emerged as one of the major agro-based industries of the state,
providing part time or whole time employment to a sizeable number of
youth. The intensive poultry development programme was launched in the
state within a radius of 30km around the poultry project at Hariparbat
(Srinagar) and Belicharana (Jammu ) in the year 1968-6965.Initially the main
thrust of the departmental activities was towards the promotion of egg
production and in this regard commercial strain of birds, namely HH-26066
were introduced. Also an organized duck farming centre was started for the
first time at Sumbal Sonnawari and high producing strains of both egg type
ducks with production potential of 200-250 eggs per year and broiler ducks
with growth rate of 2-2.5 kilograms in 40-50 days were introduced.67 Also,
for the development of poultry in hilly areas cockerel exchange and egg
exchange schemes were introduced to establish poultry farming up-grading
nucleus at the door of small farmers 68However, the adverse agro-climatic
64
F. A. Kalloo, “Development of Livestock in Jammu and Kashmir: A Retrospect” in Kashvet, 1992, op. cit., p. 14.
65 Fifth Five Year Plan, op. cit., p. 81.
66 The strain had a potential of 260 eggs per annum under field conditions, the birds
performed well in the valley conditions and gave a production of about 180-200 eggs per year on hen house basis. Administration Report, 1987-88, op. cit., p. 18.
67 Annual Administration Report, 1987-88, op. cit., p. 14.
68 Annual Plan, Vol. I, 1979-80, op. cit., p. 53. Under the egg exchange scheme, fresh selected
eggs of various improved breeds like Longhorn were distributed in appropriate areas in exchange with the Desi eggs for quick spread of improved variety of birds.
Chapter 8 Animal Husbandry
237
conditions and lakh of feed ingredients made such production economically
unviable and the industry could not develop on commercial scale even
though it developed as a backyard scheme. Also, since duck eggs could not
find favour with the general public, it was decided that the department
should concentrate on ducks for meat69.
With the increase in demand for poultry meat, a broiler production
programme was launched in the valley in early eighties which came up as a well
organized industry. A large number of farms were established in the private
sector through the assistance of poultry wing of the department of animal
husbandry which led to the qualitative and quantitative development of poultry
development sector. Qualitatively the department introduced high yielding
strains of broiler type birds like white rock as female line and red Cornish as
male line.70 A number of hatcheries also came up which contributed in a big
way to the development of this sector in the valley.
9. Sheep Rearing Programmes: The agro-climatic conditions and natural
endowments provided ample scope and potential to sheep rearing and large
chunks of population like gaddies, Gujjars, Bakerwals and Chopans had
been involved with it. Sheep rearing in the upper reaches of Jammu and
Kashmir is a basic livelihood for Gujjars and Bakerwals who migrate with
the livestock to green pastures. Before, 1947 the sheep of the state
comprised of the local breeds Viz. Karnahi and Gurezi with low body weight
and coarser quality of wool.71 To up-grade it, a breeding company, Kashmir
sheep Farm Private Limited was set up at Banihal on the recommendations
of Prof. Alfred. F Barker72 and a Tasmanian Mariano were imported in 1941.
By 1947 cross breed F1 F2 were obtained.73
69
Annual plan, Vol. 1 1979-80, op. cit., 70
Annual Administration Report, 1987-88, op. cit., p. 18. 71
F. A. Kalloo, “Development of Livestock in Jammu and Kashmir”, in Kashvet, 1992, op. cit., p. 14.
72 Jammu and Kashmir: Fifty Years, op. cit., p. 333.
73 Ibid. p. 33.
Chapter 8 Animal Husbandry
238
After 1947, the newly set up Govt. gave more emphasis to the
development of this sector. With the growth in population the demand for
mutton and wool had increased manifold and a need was felt to introduce
exotic breeds with better genetic makeup. Accordingly Australian and Russian
Marino sheep breeds were selected for Kashmir valley and Romboullet from
USA was introduced in Jammu areas74. The ICAR scheme of cross breeding local
sheep with Romboullet on regional basis on 50:50 share started functioning in
the state in April, 1952 and continued up to march 1968 at Zeban/Reasi farm.75
For quantitative growth and qualitative improvement of the sheep, 16 sheep
breeding farms were established in the state in different sheep belts particularly
in those areas where grazing facilities were available.76 Through the cross
breeding programme a new breed of sheep called Kashmir Marino was evolved
in 1960 at Diachigam,77 by crossing the local ewes with the Australian Merino
Rams, which was three to four times more productive than the local one78. The
Kashmir Marino had a better body weight– average 53.6Kg at 2 years of age and
wool producing capacity of 3-4 kg79 and was the major success of the
programme. In view of the economic returns from the occupation of sheep
rearing the Techno-Economic Survey Report of 1969, recommended that “for
sheep development programme, it would be better to concentrate on selected
areas and saturate them with the programme of cross breeding, disease control,
wool grading and marketing”80 Subsequently during the 5th five year plan
special attention was paid to sheep husbandry and different schemes were
introduced which included, development of mutton farms, establishment of
sheep and wool extension centres and establishment of intensive sheep
74
F. A. Kalloo, “Development of Livestock in Jammu and Kashmir”, in Kashvet, 1992, op. cit., p. 14.
75 Jammu and Kashmir: Fifty Years, op. cit., p. 333.
76 The sheep population which had decreased to 11.62 lakh in 1961 from 14.65 lakh in 1956
increased to 19.08 lakh in 1982 and 46% of it constituted of cross-breed variety. Kashmir veterinarian: A Quarterly Technical Journal of Animal Husbandry Department, 1992, p. 14.
77 F. A. Kalloo, “Development of Livestock in Jammu and Kashmir,” in Kashvet, 1992, Op. cit.,
p. 14. 78
Report of the Committee on Economic Reforms in Jammu and Kashmir, op. cit., p. 134. 79
Ibid. 80
Techno-Economic Survey of Jammu and Kashmir 1969, op. cit, p. 164.
Chapter 8 Animal Husbandry
239
development blocks. The basic line of approach to sheep development under
“sheep and wool Extension centres” from that of “Intensive sheep development
blocks” was that the activities in the latter were concentrated in a contiguous
belt, whereas the cross breeding under the “sheep and wool extension centres”
was proposed to be spread throughout the district except those areas which had
already been brought under the “Intensive sheep development”81. It was
envisaged through the plan to increase the production of wool and meat to 18
lakh Kg and 84 lakh kg respectively by increasing the cross breed progeny of
sheep from 2 lakh by the end of 4th Plan to 6 lakh by the end of the 5th Plan.
This was sought to be done by bringing 66% of the total ewe population under
coverage of cross breeding and converting 60% of the total population into
upgrade cross breed progeny of various grades.82 However, despite these efforts
the state was deficient in the mutton and the requirement was made by
importing 4-5 lakh of sheep and goats annually.83
In order to decrease the dependence of the state on other Indian states
for mutton and wool the state not only focused on the development of sheep
through genetic means but also emphasised on the improvement of grass lands
which was the first necessity for high output from the ruminant livestock. In
this regard the improvement of the grass lands was induced through, the
rotational grazing in village grass lands, introduction of nutritious fodders and
fertilization of pastures at alpine and high lands. Following the
recommendations of Techno-Economic Survey of Jammu and Kashmir, 1969 and
the Development Review Committee, 1977,84 a number of steps were taken
81
Fifth Five Year Plan, op. cit., p. 64. 82
Ibid. p. 82. 83
Government of Jammu and Kashmir, Annual Plan 1975-76 (Department of Planning and Development), p. 44.
84 Techno-Economic Survey of Jammu and Kashmir, 1969, had recommended that sheep
rearing could be fitted in as mixed farming activity with the programme of developing apple orchards, using the space in between the trees as grazing ground, and ensuring for fuller utilization of manpower and other resources. This mixed farming would be more suitable where orchards are on slopes and karewas land. Techno-Economic Survey of Jammu and Kashmir, op. cit., p. 164; The Development Review Committee, highlighted that there was scope for propagating muttonous varieties in the foot hills and the orchards, see, Report of the Committee on Economic Reforms in Jammu and Kashmir, op. cit., p. 11.
Chapter 8 Animal Husbandry
240
towards the development of the sheep husbandry which included the
establishment of Sheep Breeder’s cooperative society and Associations- Under
the scheme meetings, seminars and sheep shows were held in all districts of the
valley to bring in changes in the Philosophy, approach, concepts of thinking
and planning and also to create enthusiasm within the breeders to enable them
to chill down their age old practices of rearing, shearing and managing sheep
and marketing of their products, intensification of the programme of artificial
insemination, Mass drenching dipping of sheep-to decrease the mortality of
sheep and increase their power of production in respect of meat and wool,
intensification of backward pocket sheep and Area development-to extend the
development activities to far flung and neglected areas of the state.85
Moreover, a big headway had been made in the establishment of sheep centres
in the state .The number of sheep farms increased from seven in 1974-75 to 431
in 1996-97 and the number of sheep centres increased from 283 to 1348 during
the same period86.
Livestock Production and Import
Before 1947, livestock products like meat, milk, wool and eggs were not
imported into the valley but this does not mean that such products were
available in plenty or that the valley was self-sufficient in such items. The
livestock products were not imported because of their availability but because
the people of the land had no purchasing power. Most of the population of the
valley lived in rural areas practising subsistence agriculture and the per-capita
consumption of the livestock products was very low as compared to other states
of India. After 1947, the newly established government took a serious note of
necessities of the people and launched a number of schemes to ameliorate the
conditions of the impoverished masses. In order to improve the diet standards
of the people of the state the government started the “Applied Nutritive
programme” in the year 1966-67 in the two blocks of the state Viz. Tral
85
Fifth Five year Plan, op. cit., pp. 83-90. 86
Jammu and Kashmir: Fifty Years, op. cit., p. 334.
Chapter 8 Animal Husbandry
241
(Kashmir) and R. S. Pora (Jammu) which was later on extended to other parts
of the state.87 The programme envisaged to educate the rural masses about
balanced food, pre and post- natal care of pregnant women etc. and helped a
lot in making the people to switch over to balanced diet with the increase in
their income. As a result of the programme the demand for the livestock
products increased, notwithstanding that the climate, customs and the growing
population were the main forces behind the increase in the demand of the
livestock products. In order to meet the demand the state launched a number
of programmes to improve the quantity and the quality of the livestock, which
included Cattle, sheep and poultry development programmes as already
discussed above. Through such programmes the production of milk which was
0.81 lakh tonnes in 1951 reached to 4.1 lakh tonnes in 1997-98, thereby,
increasing the milk availability per person from 56 ml to 255 ml during the
period.88 Similarly there was improvement in other sectors as well and the
production of the items increased with the passage of time.89 The livestock
population of the state increased by 32.2% and there was tremendous increase
in the production of the poultry as well which increased from 2,166,299 in 1956
to 2,406760 in 1982.90 However, the progress in the sector which was the result
of the concerted efforts of the farming community, liberal financial assistance,
policy support of the government and technological innovations could not end
the dependence of the state on outside markets. The increase in the demand of
food items of animal origin caused due to the rapid increase in the population
the overwhelming majority of which was non-vegetarian could not be met
through the livestock of the state, hence opening the doors for the imports
from other states of India. The livestock products had therefore, to be imported
from other states. According to the Economic Reforms Committee Report, 1969,
87
Government of Jammu and Kashmir, Eighth Five Year Plan, Department of Planning and Development, p. 79.
88 Fifty Years of Animal Husbandry, Op. cit., p. 38. The recommendation of the WHO is 280
ml per person per day. 89
Egg production in 1951 was 11 million and in 1997 it was 192 million, the poultry production was more than double during the period, Fifty Years of Animal Husbandry, op. cit., p. 38.
90 Report of the Committee on Economic Reforms for Jammu and Kashmir, op. cit., p. 133.
Chapter 8 Animal Husbandry
242
five to eight lakh table birds from the private farms are pushed to the market
every month and the sheep population of the state is roughly 21.09 lakh while
as mutton production has reached 16,507 tonnes per annum while as the official
estimates put mutton requirement at 25,000 tonnes annually. The import of the
livestock is shown in the table below:
Table 8.6
Import of Livestock
Year Sheep and Goat % increase/decrease
1999-00 1242634 ----
2000-01 1407405 13.26
2001-02 1274297 -9.46
2002-03 1374774 7.88
2003-04 1352828 -0.02
2004-05 1361728 0.66
2005-06 N A N A
Source: Economic Review of Jammu and Kashmir (2006-07), Directorate of Economics and Statistics Planning and Development Department.
Dairy Development
The milk production of the state in 1956 stood at 1.12 lakh tonnes thus
making 70 ml of milk available per person which was far below the
recommendation of the World Health Organization (WHO)91. Until early 1960s
milked tea was considered to be a luxury for the poor masses and an
overwhelming majority of people used to consume black tea. Moreover, the
production of milk was not only inadequate but was also spread throughout the
length and breadth of the state particularly in the hilly areas where demand
was very low. In order to procure the milk from the rural and hilly areas for the
supply to the urban centres the government set up a milk plant at 91
Ibid. p. 9.
Chapter 8 Animal Husbandry
243
Chashmashahi in Srinagar in the year 1962 with a capacity of 10000 litres of
milk per day but the plant could not work to its full capacity because of the non
availability of milk.92Following the implementation of the Intensive Cattle
Development programme the production of milk increased and the per-capita
milk availability reached to 100 ml in 1973-74 as against 140ml at the national
level where as the actual requirement as per the recommendations of the WHO
was 280ml.93 Despite being ideally suited for dairy development, the
development of dairy animals was unfortunately not as encouraging. Up to 1975
hardly 1/3rd of the breedable bovine population in the state was covered by the
programmes of upgrading the local breeds.94 During the 5th Five Year Plan an
outlay of Rs 60 lakh was kept for dairying and milk supply with main focus on
extension and consolidation of the existing milk supply scheme of the state,
removal of urban cattle, re-organization of dairy cooperative societies by
providing assistance in the shape of loans, dairy cows, feed subsidy, dairy
articles, etc.95 Also most of the anti-poverty schemes under “Integrated Rural
Development Programme (IRDP)” were livestock based.96 The cumulative effect
of all the programmes launched in this regard was that the quantity of milk
production increased considerably. The constant increase in the quantity of the
production of milk from 1974 to 1998 which is shown as under:
92
Annual Plan, 1975-76, op. cit., p. 43. 93
Ibid. 94
Report of the Development Review Committee, op. cit., p. 11. The committee also commended the example of the Anand where it had been possible to bring about a revolution in dairying by efficient combination of all the required inputs like nutrition, medical cover and marketing.
95 Fifth Five Year Plan, op. cit., p. 91.
96 IRDP was launched in the state in the year 1980, and about 66% of schemes under it were
livestock based. Under the programme a section of the rural households were provided with various assets to boost their incomes such as Jersey cow, Siddhartha Prakash, “Political Economy of Kashmir Since 1947”, in Economic and Political weekly, June 10, 2000, p. 2055.
Chapter 8 Animal Husbandry
244
Table 8.7
Milk Production in Jammu and Kashmir
Year Milk production in lakh tonnes
1974-75 1.85
1980-81 2.40
1984-85 3.53
1987-88 4.28
1988-89 4.50
1989-90 4.86
1995-96 8.70
1996-97 9.92
1997-98 11.79
Source: Indicator of Economic Development, 1998-99, Directorate of Economics and Statistics, Govt. of J&K.
Notwithstanding the fact that the impressive increase in milk
production has totally eliminated the need for import of raw /processed liquid
but it is worth to mention that the growth in the sector is not at par with other
states like Punjab and Gujarat, where the cross-breed and new breeds are large
in number, which are the pioneers in the field of dairy development.97 No
doubt dairy farming in the state is still a subsistence activity but income and
employment opportunities can be increased through the modernization of the
sector. Also, the economics of milk production being a complex phenomenon
involving a number of factors affecting the cost of production98 Viz. cost of feed
and fodder, labour costs, interest on investments, depreciation, veterinary
expenses, miscellaneous costs, sale of milk and manure, there is a need to
spearhead a feed and fodder development programme, build a specialized
infrastructure such as farm bulk coolers and refrigeration centres. Nevertheless, 97
State Development Report, op. cit. 98
Annual Conference, op. cit.
Chapter 8 Animal Husbandry
245
selective privatization of animal husbandry services would be a preferred
approach (services in which public interest is greater than individual interest
e.g., eradication of diseases, programmes for weaker sections, extension and
education for weaker sections / areas would continue to be provided by the
Govt.99)
However, during the period under reference, the state had failed to
substantially transform this vital sector of the economy. Stress had been laid on
the development of agriculture and allied sectors but, as mentioned earlier, the
entire exercise of programme implementation in the livestock had centred on
Trial-Error Abrogation approach. Low cost village level technology for the
better use of animal products, processing and marketing and opening up of
frozen semen centres in remote areas to cover all local cattle population is yet
to be introduced in the state. Though there was a considerable improvement in
the production of wool in the state but the increase in mutton production had
not been impressive and the state remained largely dependent on adjacent
states for its ever-growing demand for mutton. The most important challenge
for the animal and sheep husbandry sectors was the problem of fodder in the
winter season, particularly for the valley.
99
State Development Report, op. cit., p. 81.