J&K govt signs MoC with NZ to transform sheep farming sector

INTERNATIONAL DESK: The government of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) Thursday signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) for transforming the Sheep Farming Sector in the union territory.

The virtual MoC signing ceremony was presided over by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha at Raj Bhawan.

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

The Lt Governor observed that the new partnership between J&K and New Zealand will boost production & productivity in the livestock sector of the UT.

The main objective of the MoC is to improve farmers’ remuneration, transfer of technology in research & development as well as marketing & value addition of sheep products of J&K, the Lt Governor said.

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, observed the Lt Governor.

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the commencement of bilateral relations between our two countries.

Expanding our relationship further, New Zealand G2G, the well known public sector entity, will actively partner with other Indian states to leverage expertise and solutions for sustainable development and has entered into a cooperation agreement with J&K to encourage collaboration in the field of sheep husbandry.

New Zealand’s High Commissioner HE David Pine expressed hope that the cooperation of the agreement shall further strengthen the relationship between the union territory and New Zealand.

Mischa Mannix-Opie said that the latest scientific interventions shall be extended to J&K which shall entail marketing of livestock products like wool for adding value to farmers’ produce. (India Blooms)