Kargil, Nov 01, 2024: On the fourth day of his visit to Kargil, Director Animal Husbandry, UT Ladakh today took a detailed review of several important facilities, projects, and units, aimed to strengthen the region’s animal husbandry infrastructure and development initiatives.

The day commenced with a visit to the Disease Investigation Officer’s (DIO) office, where the Director reviewed the protocols and systems in place for monitoring and managing animal health concerns in the area. His inspection emphasized the importance of early disease detection and control to safeguard livestock health and productivity.

Following this, the Director proceeded to the Stock Assistant Training Institute in Kurbathang, an institute developed under the CAPEX budget with an allocation of approximately Rs 1.80 crore. This facility is dedicated to training stock assistants to support veterinary services across the region. By visiting this center, the Director aimed to assess how effectively the training programs are building skilled manpower, critical for providing timely assistance and improving animal husbandry practices in Ladakh.

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The Director inspected the Farmers’ Hostel situated in Kurbathang, constructed under the Special Development Package (SDP). This hostel is designed to offer accommodation and resources for farmers attending training or consultations in Kargil.

During his visit, he assessed the hostel’s facilities and how well it is supporting the farmers’ welfare by providing them with a convenient, affordable lodging option while they engage in capacity-building initiatives.

The Director’s itinerary continued with a visit to Cattle Breeding Farm at Kurbathang where he interacted with the staff, checked the livestock’s health and condition, and assessed the breeding programs being implemented to enhance cattle genetics in the region.

He provided guidance for further land development at the farm to support improved grazing and housing facilities for livestock. He instructed to enhance productivity and expand the farm’s capacity, aligning with the department’s goals to support sustainable and efficient cattle breeding in Ladakh.

The Director then visited Liquid Nitrogen Plant, a facility critical for the artificial insemination (AI) program in the region. He took assessment of the adequacy of liquid nitrogen supply, crucial for preserving genetic material used in AI, which is a central part of the department’s livestock development strategy.

In the afternoon, he inspected a 5-cow dairy unit established under the SDP subsidy scheme in Baroo. This unit is a part of the department’s initiative to support small-scale dairy enterprises, aiming to boost local milk production and encourage farmers to adopt modern dairy practices.

His next visit was to another private dairy unit in Gongma, Kargil, where a beneficiary has developed a 5-cow dairy farm with great dedication. The Director appreciated the beneficiaries for their hard work and commitment, recognizing the positive impact of private enterprise in strengthening the dairy sector.

Finally, the Director concluded the day by visiting the Chief Animal Husbandry Officer’s (CAHO) office, where he convened a meeting with all animal husbandry doctors and the Assistant Director of Fisheries.

During this meeting, he reviewed departmental progress, discussed ongoing projects, addressed challenges, and shared insights on enhancing service delivery across Kargil. His engagement with the team underscored the department’s focus on collaborative efforts to drive progress in animal husbandry and fisheries.

This comprehensive tour allowed the Director to witness first-hand progress, challenges, and opportunities across Kargil, reinforcing the department’s commitment to supporting the livestock-rearing communities in UT Ladakh.