Border belt gets modern veterinary infrastructure

JAMMU : In a significant move to strengthen the livestock healthcare and support the farming community, Minister for Agriculture Production, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Cooperative and Election Department, Javid Ahmad Dar, on Saturday inaugurated the Sub-Divisional Veterinary Hospital at Ranbir Singh Pura (R.S. Pura).
The newly established facility is set to enhance access to quality veterinary services for the farmers across R.S. Pura, Suchetgarh and adjoining areas, thereby contributing to improved livestock productivity and rural livelihoods.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by MLA Suchetgarh, Professor Gharu Ram Bhagat; Director Animal Husbandry Jammu, Sanjay Gupta; Director Agriculture Jammu, Anil Gupta; Director Horticulture Jammu, Gul Syed; SDM R.S. Pura, Anuradha Thakur, along with other senior officers, local representatives and larger gathering.
The Minister described the hospital as a vital asset dedicated to the farming community, equipped to provide comprehensive healthcare services for bovine animals as well as pets. He emphasized that the facility will ensure timely treatment, preventive care and better disease management for livestock.
Javid Ahmad Dar directed the concerned officers to ensure that all services and facilities are made fully functional, enabling the farmers to access quality veterinary care at their doorsteps.
Highlighting the government’s focus on holistic agricultural growth, the Minister said that 29 schemes under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP) are being implemented to transform the agriculture and allied sectors. He termed agriculture a noble and sustainable profession, urging the youth to take it up as a viable career option and become job creators. He further underscored that the government is providing substantial subsidized financial assistance to support establishment of agriculture-based enterprises.
Emphasizing the importance of research and data-driven planning, the Minister stated that students, scholars and professionals are being encouraged to actively engage with rural communities, visit villages and panchayats and collect field-level data to strengthen policy formulation and improve outcomes in agriculture and allied sectors.
The Minister further highlighted the vast potential of Jammu division in the horticulture sector, noting that new varieties of fruit crops are gaining ground, thereby opening new avenues for farmers’ income enhancement. He reiterated that Jammu and Kashmir provides a conducive and supportive ecosystem for cultivation of diverse crops.
Speaking on the occasion, MLA Suchetgarh, Professor Gharu Ram Bhagat, appreciated the initiative and expressed gratitude to the Minister for strengthening infrastructure for the farming community.
Earlier, Director Animal Husbandry Jammu informed that the hospital has been constructed at a cost of approximately Rs 2.5 crore and will cater to nearly 80,000 livestock in the area.