Dr. Banarsi Lal
Union Territory of J&K is endowed with large biodiversity and different agro- climatic conditions. Agriculture and allied sectors in Jammu and Kashmir still continue to play a crucial role in sustaining its economy. It is expected that in future also they will be instrumental to maintain the rural livelihood and employment security. Agriculture and allied sectors in J&K contribute approximately 38 percent to the state GDP of which 11 percent is contributed by the livestock sector. Dairy farming in support of agriculture is recognized as an important instrument for the socio-economic development of the tribal farmers of J&K. It is one of the most important enterprises which dominate the economic activities of tribal farmers in the rural areas of Jammu and Kashmir. There is increase in demand for milk and milk products which has intensified dairy farming as a profitable enterprise for the tribal farmers of Union Territory of J&K. As most of the area of J&K is rain fed thus dairy farming can be considered more reliable occupation for the tribal farmers. Livestock receives around 12 per cent of the total public expenditure on the agriculture and allied sector and around five per cent of the total institutional credit flow into this sector.About six per cent of the livestock are insured. Tribal farmers’ income can be increased by creating economic viable units like dairy farming in rural areas of J&K.
Dairy sector not only generates income and employment among the farmers but also supplements the varied nutritional requirements of the individual. Dairy farming is an integral part of the tribal farmers of J&K. In Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir the number of animals per 1000 human beings are 882 while at national this number is only 457 as per livestock census2007. Dairying is a potential source of additional income for the tribal farmers of J&K. There is immense contribution of dairy sector to J&K income. This sector provides insurance against crop failures. This sector helps in increasing the crop production by providing the drag power, organic manure and cash income on a regular basis. Although India ranked first in milk production but the productivity of milk among the farmers in hilly areas is still less. Maximum milk is produced from the selected areas. The low milk production in hilly areas of J&K is mainly due to low level of dairy information sources and less adoption of modern dairy technologies by farmers. In India the milk productivity per animal comes to 987 kg/year whereas worldwide average productivity is 2200 kg per animal per year. There is substantial tribal population in the Union Territory of J&K. In J&K milk production varies to the tune of up to 1700 thousand MTs of which tribal farmers of J&K are having maximum contribution. But still the tribal farmers are lacking the advance knowledge of dairy farming. The tribal farmers of J&K have been confronting to several constraints in this sector which prohibit them for their empowerment. Lack of knowledge of modern technologies among the tribal farmers is one of the reasons for lack of technical knowhow of dairy farming. There is dire need to enhance the knowledge on dairy farming among the tribal farmers in J&K so that they can be empowered. Road connectivity in far flung areas also needs to be improved so that the milk and milk products can be carried smoothly in urban areas. In hilly terrains still there are certain tribal habitations which lack road connectivity. There is need to develop the infrastructure of dairy plants especially in the hilly areas so that milk collection can be increased. Cost-effective nutritious feed should be made by the researchers.
The tribes of Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir primarily function as cultivators, maintaining an essential agrarian livelihood. The Gujjars and Bakarwals are the predominant tribal communities in the intermediate hill zone of Jammu and Kashmir. They together constitute about 20 per cent of the total population of J&K and comprise the third largest ethnic group after Kashmiris and Dogras. They are mostly inhabitants of the border districts of Rajouri and Poonch followed by Anantnag, Udhampur, Reasi and Doda districts. Gujjars and Bakerwals continue to be a unique community with their own social, cultural and linguistic identities. Gujjars are mostly herdsmen of buffaloes, many of them possessing minor pieces of land on the mountain foothills. Bakerwals, who belong to the same ethnic stock, largely depend on sheep and goats for their livelihood. They are predominantly rural as 95.3 per cent of them reside in villages. Adverse terrain conditions, inaccessibility of the areas, absence of all weather roads, lack of infrastructure facilities, unsteady agricultural economy and ignorance added to the backwardness of the tribal population living in far-flung and difficult areas. These factors have affected their cultural, economic and political empowerment which has led to their backwardness. Keeping this in view, the Central Government notified the Gujjars and Bakerwals in Jammu and Kashmir as Scheduled Tribes in 1991. Tribal farmers suffer due to low literacy rate, lack of access to new technologies, lack of inputs, difficult terrains leading to poor living conditions and low production and productivity in dairy farming.
Though many attempts have been made through different schemes for the upliftment of this section of people in J&K, the benefits accrued through such programmes were not sustainable as they were not trained to improve the land base available at their disposal for integrated farming and allied income generating activities. The government has been prioritizing the education of these nomadic communities at the grass-roots level to arm their children with education and modern knowledge. Acquainting the tribal community with the scientific and sustainable crop and animal husbandry practices can make their traditional practices more profitable. Devising and demonstrating the dairy farming models at community farms can enable them to take up animal husbandry as an enterprise or vocation. Tribal people, If given quality dairy technologies and marketing facilities are provided to the tribal farmers then more employment and income can be generated for them. There is need to popularize scientific and mechanized knowledge of dairy farming among the tribal farmers. There is tremendous scope for improving the dairy farming in the Union Territory of J&K. Also there is good scope to increase in availability of fodder round the year. There is an immense potential for developing dairy industry in the region. Department of Animal Husbandry of J&K and SKUAST-Jammu and Kashmir are collaborately working to provide the frozen semen of pedigree bulls to the veterinary dispensaries. Animal diseases and parasites need to be managed according to the different agro-climatic zones in Union Territory of J&K. Agricultural universities in J&K including the Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) and department of animal husbandry can help in guiding the tribal farmers for the modern dairy farming.There is urgent need to give a boost to the dairy farming in J&K so that the livelihood conditions of the tribal farmers can be improved. There is need to have proper linkage between the scientists, extension workers and the tribal farmers.
(The writer is Sr. Scientist &
Head of KVK, Reasi).