SHOPIAN, APRIL 09: Animal Husbandry Department (AHD) Shopian has registered notable achievements under various government initiatives, significantly strengthening livestock-based livelihoods and rural economy in the district.
Under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP), as per an official statement, focused interventions in dairy, poultry, and fodder development have yielded tangible outcomes both in physical and financial terms.
Under Dairy Development, the department established two Satellite Heifer Units, one Milk Value Addition Unit, and five Automatic Milk Collection Units (AMCU) with cost of Rs 104.29 lakh.
Similarly, under the Roadmap for Poultry Development, 17 Free Range Units were established with an investment of Rs 17 lakh, providing sustainable livelihood opportunities to beneficiaries.
In the fodder sector, significant progress was achieved under Project 28 with the establishment of three Silage Making Units, three Hydroponic Units, distribution of four Chaff Cutters, development of 18 fodder demonstration plots, and distribution of 35 seed kits.
Under the Integrated Dairy Development Scheme, 44 Dairy Units, three Milking Machines, and two Vermicompost Units were established with a financial achievement of Rs 75.772 lakh, further strengthening dairy infrastructure in the district.
The department also recorded major physical achievements during 2025–26, with milk production reaching 75.633 thousand tons and egg production touching 5.356 million.
In the breeding sector, 34,810 artificial inseminations were carried out and 9,972 births were recorded, indicating steady genetic improvement in livestock.
Animal healthcare services were significantly expanded, with 2.29276 lakh doses administered for cattle vaccination, 0.558 lakh doses for poultry vaccination, and 1.77728 lakh doses under deworming programmes,while 67,619 cases were treated across the district.
In addition, 121 awareness camps were organized to educate farmers on scientific livestock management practices.
Under DAJGUA–NLM, the department facilitated the establishment of three poultry units (100 birds each) with a financial support of Rs 0.75 lakh, promoting backyard poultry and supplementary income generation.
Under the NLM Scheme, 442 dairy animals were Insured to cover risk due to death. Further, 674 equines were also registered and provided insurance cover for SANJY 2025-26.
To Provide, doorstep facilities to farmers, two Mobile Veterinary Units are operational in the district manned by two Paravets and One qualified Vet. The MVUs provide facilities like free medicine including deworming, besides arranging awareness camps across all Panchayats of the district.
These achievements reflect the department’s sustained efforts in improving productivity, enhancing farmer income, and ensuring sustainable livestock development in Shopian, thereby contributing significantly to the district’s rural economy.
