Jammu & Kashmir has taken a significant step forward in the agricultural sector by expanding its existing Memorandum of Cooperation with New Zealand into a full-fledged strategic agreement. This partnership aims to leverage New Zealand’s expertise in breeding technology, sustainable farm management, and disease control measures within the sheep sector to revitalize and transform the sheep and goat sectors in the Union Territory. Through comprehensive training initiatives and innovative practices, the collaboration seeks to drive prosperity for the local farming community.
The formalization of this agreement was attended by key officials, including Mission Director, HADP, Yasha Mudgal, and DG Sheep Husbandry Kashmir, Bashir Khan, as well as representatives from New Zealand such as Graham Rouse, Neera Arora, Keith Mitchell, Mischa Mannix-Opie, Jon Manhire, Stuart Ford, Dave Lucock, and Warren King. The agreement was signed by Jon Manhire, Managing Director of TAG, and Naseem Javed, Director Sheep Husbandry, Jammu. This partnership underscores the commitment to enhancing local sheep farming practices by adopting world-class techniques from New Zealand.
Key areas of collaboration include advanced training programs for master trainers, genetic and breeding innovations, expert visits and workshops, and value chain optimization. New Zealand experts will visit Jammu & Kashmir to conduct workshops and establish long-term objectives for the project, focusing on breeding values, AI, ETT, and digitization. Additionally, a thorough examination and restructuring of wool and mutton value chains led by New Zealand specialists aim to enhance efficiency and profitability across the sector.
With an estimated value of approximately Rs 20 crore spread over 5 years, this strategic agreement represents an expansion of collaborative efforts to enhance the sheep sector in Jammu and Kashmir. The partnership is poised to bring about transformative changes, boosting productivity, and improving the economic conditions of local communities. By redefining agricultural practices in the region, the ongoing partnership between Jammu & Kashmir and New Zealand is set to drive innovation, sustainability, and prosperity for the local sheep farming community.