The Jammu and Kashmir administration on Thursday signed an MoU with the New Zealand G2G, a public sector company for transforming the sheep farming sector in the Union Territory and also launched a rural home stay project in the UT in collaboration with the Oyo Rooms.

The J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha signed the MoU with New Zealand G2G, with an overarching objective to improve farmer’s remuneration, transfer of technology in research, development as well as marketing and value addition of sheep products of J&K.

“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,” Sinha said.

According to a research paper published in 2020, the livestock sector in J&K, contributes nearly 25.8 percent of the total value of output in agriculture, fishing and forestry sector. It also says that the livestock sector contributes 4.11 percent to J&K’s GDP and 25.6 percent of total Agriculture GDP. According to another official document, people in Kashmir consume six crore kgs of meat every year, out of which 3.5 crore kgs of meat is imported.

He said that this year marks the 70th anniversary of the commencement of bilateral relations between the two countries. “It gives us an opportunity to strengthen our partnership and our resolve to construct a strong edifice of a long term, mutually reinforcing economic relationship,” said Sinha.

Meanwhile the J&K administration also launched a rural home stay project titled ‘Crown of Incredible India’ along with the travel-tech platform, OYO Rooms, which they said would encourage micro-entrepreneurs in the villages and would revitalise local art and crafts and help in redevelopment of rural areas.

“Undoubtedly nature has blessed J&K with great scenic beauty and rural homestay will offer a piece of eternal culture,cuisine,traditions besides the warmth and friendly hospitality of J&K UT to domestic and international travellers. By December this year, around 200 home stays will be available on OYO platform,” Sinha was quoted as saying.

The J&K administration informed that under ‘Mission Youth’ will support 500 youngsters for establishing homestay and Rs. 50,000 financial assistance per home stay will be provided for refurbishment. The venture, officials said, would help in building a tourist infrastructure of world standards in rural J&K.

“This new initiative will empower local communities, youth and women, fulfilling the vision of Atma Nirbhar Bharat. Through ‘vocal for local products’ individuals and enterprises will help in poverty alleviation and sustainable development,” said Sinha.