Jammu, Feb 11: The Jammu and Kashmir administration signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) for transforming the sheep farming sector in the UT in the presence of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha at Raj Bhawan. In a series of tweets, the Lt Governor said that the new partnership between J&K and New Zealand will boost production & productivity in the livestock sector of the UT.

 

 

 

The MoC was signed by Navin Kumar Choudhary, Principal Secretary to J&K Government, Animal & Sheep Husbandry Department, and Mischa Mannix-Opie, Executive Director, New Zealand G2G as a mutual commitment between J&K and New Zealand for complementing each other’s capability in the sheep sector.

 

“Overarching objective of the MoC is to improve farmers' remuneration, transfer of technology in research and development, as well as marketing & value addition of sheep products of J&K.New Zealand, is an important partner of India's expanding relationship globally and we attach special values to our ties not only because of deep bonding and cultural affinities but also from a mature understanding of our strategic convergences, global interests and economic potential,” said the Lt Governor.

“Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and New Zealand Prime Minister Ms Jacinda Ardern believe in shared commitment to promote ideals of democracy, peace and prosperity for the people. Despite turbulent events of global pandemic since the last two years, there has been almost seamless continuity in India-New Zealand relationship,” said the Lt Governor.

 

This year marks 70th anniversary of commencement of bilateral relations between our two countries. It gives us opportunity to strengthen our partnership and our resolve to construct a strong edifice of a long term, mutual reinforcing economic relationship, the Lt Governor added.

 

 

Now, expanding our relationship further, New Zealand G2G, the well known public sector entity actively partnering with other Indian states to leverage expertise and solutions for sustainable development has entered into a cooperation agreement with J&K to encourage collaboration in the field of sheep husbandry, capacity building, technology transfer and training.

 

The new partnership is aimed at doubling produce in the next three years with substantial increment in quality of livestock products, wool production and introducing processing facilities and value addition to boost income and benefits to Jammu Kashmir, the Lt Governor further added.

 

“We are creating an enabling environment for the integrated growth of livestock sector which is providing livelihood support to around 1.2 million families and contributing 5 per cent to the Union Territory’s GDP. The Lt Governor said that Government of Jammu & Kashmir has unleashed unprecedented reforms in various spheres in the last two and half years. An innovative and self sustaining Integrated Sheep Development Program was launched during 2020-21 with an aim to supplement livestock production & build entrepreneurship in the sector.

 

 

The Lt Governor reaffirmed that the leadership of the two countries believes in the huge potential for our economic and commercial cooperation. We are committed to create conditions, which would facilitate the rapid growth of this cooperation. I am confident this cooperation agreement between New Zealand G2G and Jammu Kashmir Union Territory is just the beginning of widening and deepening of our relationship in the future, the Lt Governor added.