Javid Dar reviews wool sector, seeks roadmap to make J&K industry globally competitive
Blazing Tales News Service
SRINAGAR, JULY 30: Minister for Agriculture Production, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Cooperative and Election Department, Javid Ahmad Dar, on Thursday reviewed the status of the wool industry and the progress achieved under 27 projects of the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP), calling for a comprehensive roadmap to transform Jammu and Kashmir’s wool sector into a globally competitive, value-added industry.
The review meeting was attended by Additional Chief Secretary, Agriculture Production Department, Dr Ashish Chandra Verma; Mission Director, HADP, Sagar Dattatray Doifode; Director Sheep Husbandry, Kashmir; Director Finance, Agriculture Production Department; representatives of the wool industry and other senior officers and stakeholders.
The meeting assessed the existing wool production ecosystem, infrastructure, shearing and processing facilities, implementation of HADP interventions, market linkages and value addition initiatives. It also deliberated on measures to enhance returns for sheep breeders and create sustainable livelihood opportunities for rural youth.
Addressing the meeting, Javid Dar emphasised the need to shift the wool sector from a predominantly raw-material-based activity to a modern, market-driven and value-added industry capable of competing in national and international markets.
The Minister directed the concerned departments to identify villages and clusters with high livestock density and significant wool production potential and develop them as specialised wool production and processing clusters.
He called for focused interventions in these areas, including capacity building, adoption of modern shearing techniques, wool grading, scientific processing, value addition, packaging and improved marketing to maximise returns for producers.
Stressing the importance of quality improvement, Javid Dar directed the department to organise specialised training programmes for sheep breeders, rural entrepreneurs and youth in modern wool processing and allied activities.
He said improving wool quality at the production stage, coupled with modern processing methods and effective marketing strategies, would substantially enhance the economic value of Jammu and Kashmir’s wool and strengthen the livelihoods of people associated with the sector.
