Sajjad says ‘honoured’ to be associated with AH ministry

Separatist-turned-mainstream politician and minister Sajjad Gani Lone Thursday broke his silence on “less important portfolio” saying he is “honoured” to be associated with Animal Husbandry ministry.
Lone, who was reportedly upset on getting an insignificant portfolio, cleared his stance during his maiden speech in Legislative Assembly today.
“I feel honoured to be associated with this (Animal Husbandry) ministry. I come from a family, which has been dealing with goats, sheep and agriculture. There is nothing insignificant about it. It is a vital sector of our economy,” he said.
Lone was reacting to opposition National Conference MLA, Agha Ruhullah who during discussion on grants had pointed out that Lone was reluctant in taking this ministry.
“While Sajjad hesitated in taking up this ministry, I must tell him that this sector has a room for improvement. It is huge,” he said.
Lone said he was not going to disregard anybody. “From where it was 30 years ago, this (Animal Husbandry) sector is now running in losses.
The infrastructure which is 30 to 40 years old is not sufficient today”.
He said evolution, which should have happened in the sector, has not taken place.
“Given the climatic conditions, we should have traditionally been a place identified with best cheese, top quality milk and best mutton,” Lone said adding this sector could generate employability directly or indirectly to about 40,000 people.
The minister, an alumni of London School of Economics, said they have to move in the stage of economics where private sector should come in. “One of the problems in Animal Husbandry is lack of institutions – both private and national — which could spur growth. This sector is unorganized”.
“Our Bakerwal community is helping widely but nothing is organized. I thank Gujjars and Bakerwals for their contribution,” he said.
Lone said they have to expose the hidden profitability of this sector to the entrepreneurs and show them its economic viability so that they invest in this sector. “Government’s plan is to bring in private investment for setting up high quality dairy farms, sheep, cattle rearing and fish farming.”
Recalling his visit to wildlife sanctuary in Srinagar with his father and deceased separatist leader Abdul Gani Lone when he was three-years-old, he said, “It is the good part of it but the bad news is that when I visited there again two years back it is exactly in the same position. No changes! Same is the situation of trout fish. We have failed to create a market demand despite being the only state with its production.”
“The government wants this department to facilitate private sector investors. We do not want this department to be inactive or overactive but somewhere in middle and try to attract investment in the form of institutions and work at the micro level,” he said.
Lone said facilitating entry of corporate institutions in the sector will take it a long way. “This sector needs restructuring and reorganistion.”
Stressing on veterinary dispensaries and infrastructure to tackle the outbreak of diseases, employment and economy, he said mere subsidies should not be seen as the solution.
“There is no economic literature with evidence that subsidies build industry but they destroy it. We should look at different means and strengthen ourselves,” he added.