KULGAM, APRIL 30: Deputy Commissioner (DC) Kulgam, Shahzad Alam, today inaugurated a Milk Value Addition Startup at Poniwah established under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP).
The unit has been set up by beneficiary Jalaludin Bhat through the Department of Animal Husbandry, Kulgam under HADP, Project-23 (Dairy Development in J&K), with a subsidy/grant of Rs 25 lakh provided to support the venture.
The inauguration was held in the presence of Chief Animal Husbandry Officer Kulgam, Dr. Shakeel Ahmad Dar, along with officials from the Animal Husbandry Department and other concerned stakeholders.
Speaking on the occasion, the DC highlighted the importance of value addition in enhancing farmers’ income and creating sustainable livelihood opportunities.
He emphasized that such initiatives under HADP aim to modernize the agriculture and allied sectors while encouraging entrepreneurship.
He also urged the youth to actively leverage government-sponsored employment schemes to establish income-generating units and become self-reliant.
Cheif Animal Husbandry Officer Kulgam shared that the unit has a processing capacity of around 10 quintals of milk per day and is producing a range of value-added dairy products including curd, yoghurt, and cheese.
He added that the department is committed to support dairy farmers through innovative interventions, infrastructure development, and capacity building.
He added that such initiatives play a vital role in boosting local dairy production and promoting self-reliance.