JAMMU, Oct. 2
Dr Yugal Kishore has assumed charge as Director of the Animal Husbandry Department, Jammu, taking over responsibility for livestock development, veterinary services and implementation of animal husbandry programmes across the Jammu division.
Dr Kishore formally took charge of the department following his appointment by the Jammu and Kashmir government.
On assuming office, he interacted with senior officers and staff of the department and reviewed its functioning and ongoing activities.
Dr Kishore said his priorities would include strengthening veterinary healthcare services, improving livestock productivity and ensuring that government schemes and programmes reach livestock farmers effectively.
He also emphasised the need to strengthen field-level services so that farmers and livestock owners, particularly those in rural and remote areas, receive timely veterinary assistance.
Animal husbandry remains closely connected with the rural economy of Jammu and Kashmir, where livestock provides income and livelihood support to a large number of farming families.
The department’s responsibilities include animal healthcare, disease prevention and control, breed development, livestock production and implementation of schemes aimed at improving the economic returns available to farmers.
Dr Kishore’s appointment places him in charge of these activities across Jammu division.
After assuming office, he called upon officers and employees to work in coordination and maintain a farmer-oriented approach while implementing departmental programmes.
The new Director also stressed the importance of improving service delivery and ensuring that the benefits of government initiatives reach intended beneficiaries.
Veterinary healthcare is a particularly important part of the department’s work because livestock owners depend on government veterinary institutions and field personnel for treatment, vaccination, disease surveillance and preventive care.
Strengthening these services can have a direct bearing on livestock health as well as the income of families dependent on dairy farming and other animal-based activities.
The department also plays a role in improving livestock productivity through breeding and development programmes.
For Jammu division, where livestock-rearing ranges from dairy farming in the plains to animal husbandry in mountainous and remote districts, the requirements of farmers can vary considerably according to geography and local economic conditions.
Effective field outreach therefore remains an important component of departmental functioning.
Dr Kishore’s assumption of charge comes as the department continues implementing programmes intended to modernise the livestock sector and improve support available to farmers.
His immediate focus will be on reviewing ongoing schemes, strengthening veterinary services and improving coordination between the department’s administrative and field-level machinery.
Officials and staff of the Animal Husbandry Department welcomed Dr Kishore on his assumption of office and assured him of their cooperation.
The new Director, in turn, called for collective efforts to improve the department’s performance and strengthen its engagement with livestock farmers across the Jammu division.
His appointment gives the department new leadership at a time when livestock development, veterinary healthcare and the economic sustainability of animal-rearing remain important components of Jammu and Kashmir’s rural economy.
