Research on sheep and wool

Research on sheep and wool is the responsibility of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and its constituent institutes. the Central Sheep & Wool Research Institute (CSWRI), Avikanagar (Rajasthan); the Central Institute for Research on Goats (CIRG), Makhdoom (Uttar Pradesh); and to some extent the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Izatnagar (Uttar Pradesh) and the National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI), Karnal (Haryana); State agricultural universities also carry responsibility in this field. It is planned to set up a bureau of animal genetic resources in the near future. The ICAR has also organized research on sheep and goat production through an All-India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) involving a number of central and State organizations (ICAR institutes, agricultural universities, State departments, etc.). These projects cover sheep-breeding for fine wool, for mutton and for superior carpet-wool, and goat-breeding for Chevon, for milk and for mohair and pashmina. Most of the important sheep-and goat-rearing States have been covered under these projects. In addition, ICAR funds research projects from the Agricultural Produce Cess Fund.

The development aspect is entrusted to the central Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, which primarily provides guidelines in programme planning and organizes the import of exotic animals and other biological products not available in the country. There is a Central Sheep Development Council, including representatives of the sheepbreeders, the woollen industry, research agencies and other ministries concerned. The central Ministry of Agriculture, in consultation with experts from all over the country, prepares an overall development plan for each Five-Year Plan, and after its approval makes it available to the State governments for implementation. The State Animal Husbandry/ Sheep and Wool Departments are responsible for development programmes in their respective States; they maintain large exotic and native farms for the production of rams and are equipped to provide health protection and advice on improved management practices. Some also organize the marketing of wool and live animals. Most of the sheep development activity is now organized through intensive sheep development projects and sheep and wool extension centres. To a limited extent, under the Drought-Prone Area Programme (DPAP), sheep-breeders' cooperative societies are organized to carry out development work.