Jammu, January 20:
To meet the growing demand for meat in Jammu and Kashmir, 900 sheep are being imported from Australia under the Integrated Agriculture Development Program (HAPD). They will be used mainly to meet the demand for meat in both the divisions. Rs 26 crore will be spent on them.
These sheep are of Texel and Dorper breed and are known in the world for their high meat production. In the coming days, there is a plan to promote their breeding on a large scale to make the state self-sufficient in meat production.
Soon, a team of six experts related to sheep farming from Jammu and Kashmir division will leave for Australia.
The imported sheep will be quarantined in Australia for a month. After arriving in India, they will be kept in quarantine centres prepared in both the divisions for two months. A quarantine centre has been set up in Rajbagh, Kathua.
Consumption of 15 lakh sheep every year in Jammu and Kashmir There is a high demand for meat in Jammu and Kashmir. It is especially consumed a lot in Kashmiri cuisine.
