Marketing the milk is a challenge confronting the milk producers in Kashmir division where the annual production crossed 806 thousand tones by the year ended March 31st, 2006-07. Thus the per capita/day availability of milk has crossed 332 gms in the Division yet the producers find it difficult to reach out to the potential buyers to have remunerative price, the consumers are equally at the receiving end who buy it at highly exorbitant prices. And the major beneficiary of the situation is the middle man who continues to exploit the consumers and producers as the latter are yet to organize themselves in cooperatives in a big way. Highlighting the achievements made in livestock development Dr SP Sharma, Director Animal Husbandry, Kashmir, who was speaking at a function to commemorate the World Veterinary Day, implored the vets and Para vets assembled on the occasion to help the farmers in taking full benefits of the developmental schemes aimed at their development. He lamented that the farmers were not able to draw full benefits of schemes because of absence of a vibrant cooperative mechanism for selling their produce. He also administered oath by which vets committed themselves to the cause of the dumb creatures and humanity. Earlier Dr A M Reshi, Chief AH Officer, in his welcome address claimed that during last year a record number of 72017 cows were inseminated during last year and milk availability per person per day had reached 465 gms in the district as against ICMR recommendation of 283 gms per person per day. On the occasion Dr Sheikh Saleem, President JKVDA and his comrades were felicitated. Dr Khursheed Hussain Malik, former director of the department was also decorated on the occasion for his contribution to the profession. Special prizes were distributed amongst the officials of Anantnag Block whose performance was described as outstanding. Dr Rafique A Naqashbandi, Block Veterinary officer, who had organized the function, gave the background of the celebrations. Drs FM Saleem, Tahir Hussain Beigh, Abdul Hai Deva, Reyaz Nazir Reshi, district representative JKVDA, Farooq Ahmad, District president Field Staff association also spoke on the occasion.

Dr F A Kaloo, Dy Director, AH Deptt while felicitating the vets reminded them of their duties and responsibilities. Referring to the lopsided development of livestock in the state, he counseled the vets to volunteer their services for the backward areas. Now that most of the demands of vets and Para vets had been met with, it was incumbent upon them to serve the people with a firm resolve to help them to improve their lot, said Dr Kaloo. He said vets' past has been glorious and future would be more promising. Given the fact that during past 20 years 75% of the infectious diseases in mankind had their origin in animals and therefore in future the Medical and Veterinary professionals would have to work shoulder to shoulder to stamp out diseases. Dr Sheikh Saleem speaking on the occasion reminded the participants of their duties and responsibilities and urged them to rededicate themselves to the cause of the people. He said that the vets need to continuously keep themselves abreast of the latest developments in the field of veterinary and animal sciences so that people are benefited.