Sheep DPR

Introduction
Livestock systems have both positive and negative effects on the natural resource base, public
health, social equity and economic growth (World Bank 2009 report).Currently, livestock is one of
the fastest growing agricultural subsectors in developing countries. Its share of agricultural GDP is
already 33 per cent and is quickly increasing. This growth is driven by the rapidly increasing
demand for livestock products, this demand being driven by population growth, urbanization and
increasing incomes in developing countries. Sheep with its multi-facet utility for wool, meat, milk,
skins and manure, form an important component of rural economy particularly in the arid, semi-
arid and mountainous areas of the country. It provides a dependable source of income to the
shepherds through sale of wool and animals. They play an important role in the livelihood of a large
percentage of small and marginal farmers and landless labourers engaged in sheep rearing.
2 Basic information of Sheep as a livestock in the country Small ruminants play an important role in
Indian economy and it provides livelihood to two-third of rural community. Sheep and goats are
important species of livestock for India. They contribute greatly to the agrarian economy,
especially in areas where crop and dairy farming are not economical, and play an important role in
the livelihood of a large proportion of small and marginal farmers and landless labourers. 1.2.1 Role
as a livestock i. Sheep are mostly reared for wool and meat. Sheep skins and manure constitute
important sources of earning, the latter particularly in southern India. Milk from sheep is of limited
importance and that too in very limited areas of Jammu and Kashmir, Rajasthan and Gujarat.
Indian sheep are not regarded as dairy sheep. ii. Basically Sheep are very much compatible for
breeding because of their hardiness and adaptability to dry conditions; the north-western and
southern peninsular regions of the country have a large concentration of sheep. In the tropics, they
are non-seasonal breeders and can be made to lamb throughout the year. iii. The productivity of
Indian sheep is lower than those of agriculturally more advanced countries. Yet considering their
nutritional and physical environment, their productivity cannot be considered as inefficient. iv. The
major reasons for low productivity are inadequate grazing resources, diseases causing high
mortality, morbidity and consequent reduced production, and serious lack of organized effort for
bringing genetic improvement. 1.2.2 Sheep in the Economy i. India's livestock sector has
continuously provided structural support to the rural economy as an important vocation for rural
population, next only to 4 crop raising. On account of favourable socio economic factors such as
changing eating habits, higher purchasing power, urbanization, increasing health consciousness
towards protein rich diet, preferred meat due to religious preferences, there has been increase in
demand for meat and the sector has gained importance in terms of contribution to income,
employment and foreign exchange earnings. ii. Goat and lamb meat are relatively small but
important segments where local demand is outstripping supply. They have short generation
intervals, higher rates of prolificacy, and marketing of Goat-Sheep meat products is far easier.
Rajasthan, Jammu & Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Hilly regions of North and Eastern Himalayas
are the Indian regions with maximum livestock population. The production levels in these two
categories have been almost constant at 0.95 million tons with annual exports of less than 10,000
tons. Present scenario of Sheep Farming Sector in the country. Indian subcontinent is a rich source
of diverse ovine germplasm, and only very few countries have such a large number of breeds with
wide genetic diversity. In India Sheep make a valuable contribution to the livelihood of the
economically weaker sections of the society. Amongst the livestock owners the shepherds are the
poorest of the lot. The export earnings from different woollen products and mutton is also
noticeably contributing to the National income. Sheep skin in the form of leather and leather
products is also exported. of Indian Sheep. Sheep and Goat are two important livestock varieties in
India, especially in areas where crop and dairy farming are not economical and play an important
role in the large proportion of the livelihood of the small and marginal farmers. Population
statistics of these animals shows that there is a decline in number of animals and in the number of
households having sheep farming.
Present scenario of Sheep Farming Sector in the country. Indian subcontinent is a rich source of
diverse ovine germplasm, and only very few countries have such a large number of breeds with
wide genetic diversity. In India Sheep make a valuable contribution to the livelihood of the
economically weaker sections of the society. Amongst the livestock owners the shepherds are the
poorest of the lot. The export earnings from different woollen products and mutton is also
noticeably contributing to the National income. Sheep skin in the form of leather and leather
products is also exported. 1.3.1 Demographics There are many wild varieties of Sheep (Ovis
orientalis vignai), in the mountains from Afganistan to Armenia, who were probably the ancestors
of Indian Sheep. Sheep and Goat are two important livestock varieties in India, especially in areas
where crop and dairy farming are not economical and play an important role in the large proportion
of the livelihood of the small and marginal farmers. Population statistics of these animals shows
that there is a decline in number of animals and in the number of households having sheep farming
The total meat production in the country is pegged at 10.0 million tons in the year 2018-19 which
marks a significant progress in the meat production.
Meat Productivity In Indian livestock production system, meat production is largely a by-product
despite of the fact that, India is the richest country in the world in terms of livestock wealth. More
than 40% of the total meat is produced from spent (culled) animals at the end of their productive
economic life (Mendiratta et al., 2008). Sheep are also usually reared for wool and are slaughtered
at the end of their productive economic life.

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Introduction

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