J&K to set up embryo labs across dists to plug meat deficit

By Shafat Malik
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15 Oct 2025

Srinagar, Oct 15: The Jammu & Kashmir is set to establish Embryo Transfer Technology laboratories in every district as part of a major livestock genetics upgrade to bridge the Union Territory’s growing meat deficit. The Animal and Sheep Husbandry Department has drawn up a roadmap to produce 6,000 embryos annually through Embryo Generation Labs, backed by facilities for cryopreservation and Multiple Ovulation and Embryo Transfer (MOET). Officials said the move aims to accelerate genetic improvement in sheep and goats to reduce dependence on imports. J&K currently has 43.68 lakh sheep and 22.5 lakh goats, producing around 370 lakh kilograms of meat annually well short of the local demand of nearly 545 lakh kilograms. “Advanced breeding techniques are no longer optional if we want to address the gap sustainably,” an official said. They said that the department is rolling out capacity-building programmes for veterinarians and para-veterinarians to ensure on-ground implementation including setting up cryopreservation facilities to support district-level labs. Alongside reforms in the mutton sector, the department has also outlined plans to expand organised milk production over the next five to seven years. Officials said that J&K currently produces 28.75 lakh metric tonnes of milk annually, with a per capita availability of 577 grams per day, higher than the national average of 471 grams. Despite this, only about 4 per cent of total production is presently organised. “The aim is to bring at least 20 per cent of production under the organised sector within a defined timeframe,” officials said. To achieve this, the department plans to scale up Artificial Insemination coverage, procure High Genetic Merit (HGM) bulls, set up facilities for sexed semen, and address fodder shortages through scientific feeding practices. They also said that around 1,600 PashuSakhis (Maitris) have already been deployed at the grassroots level to extend AI services whileas two semen stations are under establishment in the UT, and the process to procure 40 HGM bulls from the United States is under way. They further daid that the department is also setting up milk chilling and processing units in every district to support the supply chain. Officials said both sectors will move forward simultaneously, with breeding upgrades, infrastructure additions and field-level manpower intended to make the transition practical. “The interventions are designed to improve output without compromising local breeds or sustainability targets,” an official added.