SAMBA: In a significant push to strengthen the livestock and agriculture sectors, Minister for Agriculture Production, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Cooperative and Election Department, Javid Ahmad Dar, on Tuesday inaugurated the modernised Cattle Feed Plant at Bari Brahmana and the newly developed Wool Trade Mandi at Kartholi in Samba district.
MLA Vijaypur, Chander Prakash Ganga, Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) Agriculture Production Department, Dr Ashish Chandra Verma, Director Agriculture Jammu Anil Gupta, Director Animal Husbandry Jammu Sanjay Gupta, Director Horticulture Jammu, Director Sheep Husbandry Jammu and other senior officers were present on the occasion.
The Minister was informed that the modernization and upgradation of the Cattle Feed Plant has been executed by the Jammu and Kashmir Agro Industries Development Corporation Limited at a project cost of ₹499 lakh.
The plant has been upgraded with a fully automatic PLC-based automation system enabling centralized process control, automatic batching and micro-dosing systems for precise ingredient proportioning. It also features online monitoring of moisture, temperature and production flow, ensuring improved efficiency and quality control.
Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said that with controlled formulation technology, the plant now operates on scientific feed manufacturing principles, ensuring high precision within minimal tolerance limits. He stated that the modernization will substantially enhance the productivity, operational efficiency and quality assurance standards.
Javid Dar said such initiatives would provide farmers easy access to high-quality cattle feed, leading to better livestock health and increased milk production. He reiterated the government’s commitment towards equipping the farming community with modern infrastructure and necessary facilities to strengthen the livestock and agriculture sectors.
The Minister also inaugurated the Wool Trade Mandi at Kartholi, developed under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP) at a cost of ₹1 crore. He said the Mandi would provide farmers and sheep rearers a dedicated marketing platform to secure remunerative prices for their wool and related products.
Emphasising the need for comprehensive livestock support, the Minister stressed establishment of a veterinary centre in the area to provide improved healthcare services for animals.