Mr President, Dear Cabinet Colleagues, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen

Address by Hon’ble Chief Minister

Ever since my government took the oath of the office, it has been our persistent endeavor to infuse a semblance of order in the turmoil torn society, to bring back economy on the track of progress, to lessen the burden of average citizen and above all to revive hope and self esteem in people who are caught in a very precarious situation. To achieve these objectives the pre-requisite is peace and tranquility, for which necessary steps have been initiated both at state and national level. For the economic revival of the state, besides tourism and horticulture, livestock industry is the key component. The concept of Food Parks in the valley will go a long way in absorbing our youth in the gainful occupations. It is my considered opinion that a collective effort, in the shape of the revival of the cooperatives, with institutional support be the key to development. I am happy, that the “Amul” is shortly going to revive the Milk Processing Plants in J&K and thus the network of diary cooperatives through out the state will be strengthened and farmers will get remunerative price for Milk and Milk Products and an assured market for their produce. This I hope will boost the milk production in the state, which I am told is already on the rise, as per-capita availability of Milk in J&K is more than the national average. With more than 60% of our cattle population converted into high yielding cross-breds, through out the valley, white revolution is at our doorstep. With better Health Management and improved nutrition, it is expected, that the “White Revolution” will change the very economy of the state for better. Likewise I am very enthusiastic for development of the poultry industry in the state. The state is importing poultry from the neighboring states and keeping the available market in sight there is no reason why we shall not become self sufficient in poultry and poultry products. My vision is that poultry cooperatives in the valley, with technical inputs from the veterinary fraternity will go a long way in developing the Poultry industry in the state and generate new opportunities of employment for the youth. Likewise the Mutton and Wool are the areas to be exploited for generating gainful employment as well as overcoming the deficit in the demand of Mutton and Wool in the state.

Ladies and gentlemen it should be our aim that the population at large has access to Healthy, Wholesome food within a reasonable price. For this purpose it is the duty of the Vets to see that the Food, derived from the animal source, is free from any infectious/obnoxious agent endangering human health. It is a matter of satisfaction that major diseases of livestock are kept under control by the workers of the Animal Husbandry Department. Nevertheless, we have to be ready for such emerging diseases like SARS, Avian Influenza and BSE and should be well equipped with the techniques of early diagnosis of such type of diseases and be in a position to stamp out these diseases as and when they emerge. For this purpose, such conferences will go a long way, in preparing us for future challenges and I hope that the deliberations of this conference will focus on the collaborative effort by sister professions of Human and Veterinary Medicine, in devising effective plans for future. I wish the conference a grand success.