Wool processing plant to generate jobs
PRAYAGRAJ : A wool processing plant will soon be established in Prayagraj, in a bid to provide employment to youth in rural areas and ready cash to those involved in sheep farming in the district.
The plant is proposed to be established in Bhagwatpur area, close to the city limits. The land for it has also been ear-marked and construction is expected to begin next month, officials said.
At least 42 collection centres will also be established in different areas of the district where wool will be stored and then be sent to the processing plant.
It is estimated that the plant will provide employment to at least 2.50 lakh people, including sheep breeders in the district.
There are many goat and sheep breeders in the district, especially in areas close to Kaushambi. However, due to a lack of proper training and assistance, they are not able to get the right price for their products. It is proposed that sheep breeders be provided training and be equipped with special machines for trimming wool from the sheep. The administration has constituted a team for establishing the plant which comprises officials of sheep and wool development, animal husbandry, industries, export, power and water works department.
Sheep and wool development project chief technical officer Bharat Bhushan Singh said that the plant will be equipped with good quality machines and good quality wool will be produced through them.
“The processed wool will certainly fetch good money. It is believed that construction of the plant will begin by August this year,” he added.
In a meeting held by cabinet minister Siddarth Nath Singh around a week back, the minister said that sheep breeders in the district will certainly benefit from the plant. Besides, the marketing and collection centres will provide employment to many unemployed youth in the district.
After its establishment in Prayagraj, wool processing plants will also be established in many other districts of the state, the minister added.