Livestock Department AJK – Livestock and Dairy Development Department Azad Jammu & Kashmir

The Livestock and Dairy Development Department Azad Jammu & Kashmir (Livestock Department AJK) is working on the service delivery for the farmers and the development of livestock in the region. It focuses the livestock development by emphasizing market-driven and community-oriented strategies in both public and private sectors.

Livestock Department AJK is putting its efforts into livestock production enhancement to support GDP growth, poverty alleviation, and food security.

Functions of Livestock Department AJK

The Livestock and Dairy Development Department AJK is functioning for livestock development with research, development, and services:

• Veterinary Health Coverage: Offers a range of veterinary health services including diagnosis, treatment and vaccination to keep the livestock healthy.

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• Genetic Improvements: Works for the genetic potential of indigenous livestock breeds to boost productivity through artificial insemination services and genetic improvement programs.

• Disease Control and Prevention: Takes special initiatives for disease control through vaccination, surveillance, and disease management along with the development of disease-free zones and disease control compartments.

• Feed and Fodder Development: Promotes high-yielding fodder varieties to improve nutrition for livestock, and supports feed analysis and feed formulations.

• Awareness and Advisory Services: Focuses on farmers awareness, training, and advisory services for livestock business development

• Economic Empowerment: Supports farmers with projects and incentives along with free veterinary services to boost livestock and poultry production

• Microfinance Support: Provides financial assistance to farmers through banks to support livestock and poultry initiatives.

• Rural Women Empowerment: Works for the skill development and training of rural women to run livestock and poultry businesses at small and medium scale.

• Sheep Goat and Rural Poultry: Promotes commercial sheep-goat farming and rural poultry farming

• Private Sector Engagement: Encourages private enterprises and rural communities to establish milk collection and processing systems.

Directorates of Livestock Department AJK

Livestock and Dairy Development Department AJK has a Directorate General Livestock under which four directorates are working.

Directorate of Animal Health & Veterinary Services:

The primary focus of this directorate of Livestock and Dairy Development Department Azad Jammu & Kashmir on veterinary health services through veterinary hospitals, veterinary dispensaries and mobile veterinary services. This directorate through Veterinary officers and paraveterinary staff provides the services of treatment and vaccination. Its objective is to keep the livestock healthy and prevent disease outbreaks.

Directorate of Livestock Extension & Research:

The focus of this directorate is on livestock and poultry research. It conducts research on poultry production and livestock production. Livestock farms, poultry farms, and Semen Production Units are being operated under this directorate.

Directorate of Disease Diagnostic Lab & Surveillance:

The primary function of this directorate of the Livestock and Dairy Development Department Azad Jammu & Kashmir is the provision of disease diagnostic services. It also carries out epidemiological surveys and disease surveillance through animal disease investigating officers.

Directorate of Animal Breeding:

The focus of this department is on the genetic improvement of indigenous livestock breeds through genetic improvement programs.

National Veterinary Laboratory; NVL Islamabad

Comprehensive Services for Livestock Growth

The Livestock and Dairy Development Department Azad Jammu & Kashmir offers a range of services to support farmers and improve livestock productivity:

• Vaccination programs for livestock and poultry.
• Free vaccinations for diseases like PPR, FMD, and LSD.
• Artificial insemination for breed improvement.
• Disease diagnosis and milk quality testing.
• Advisory services for livestock businesses.

Contact Livestock Department AJK

Livestock Complex Near Old Domail Bridge,
Muzaffarabad, Azad Kashmir
Website: livestockajk.gov.pk/
Tel.  05822-921269

What are the main functions of the Livestock Department AJK?

The Livestock Department AJK is responsible for livestock development through research, veterinary health services, genetic improvements, disease control, feed development, and supporting farmers with advisory services and microfinance support.

How does the Livestock Department AJK promote livestock health?

The department provides veterinary health coverage through diagnosis, treatment, vaccinations, and disease prevention initiatives to keep livestock healthy and prevent disease outbreaks.

What initiatives does the Livestock Department AJK undertake for disease control?

The department conducts vaccination, surveillance, and disease management, and aims to develop disease-free zones and disease control compartments to prevent outbreaks.

What are the different directorates within the Livestock Department AJK?

The department includes the Directorate of Animal Health & Veterinary Services, the Directorate of Livestock Extension & Research, the Directorate of Disease Diagnostic Lab & Surveillance, and the Directorate of Animal Breeding.

How can farmers contact the Livestock Department AJK for services or inquiries?

Farmers can contact the department at the Livestock Complex near Old Domail Bridge in Muzaffarabad, Azad Kashmir, via their website livestockajk.gov.pk or by telephone at 05822-921269.

Editor In Chief

Dr. Jassar Aftab is a qualified Veterinarian having expertise in veterinary communication. He is a renowned veterinary Journalist of Pakistan. He is veterinary columnist, veterinary writer and veterinary analyst. He is the author of three books. He has written a number of articles and columns on different topics related to livestock, dairy, poultry, wildlife, fisheries, food security and different aspects of animal sciences and veterinary education.

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