Major Achievements

Around 85% of sheep are of improved variety (Cross Breeds) which produces finer wool and are fast growing.

Ours is the finest wool producing region in the country.

35% of Mutton demand is met locally.

Contribution to Economy

2019-20
Item	Quantity	Value	Approx. Cost
Mutton	112 (Lac kgs)	Rs. 500 Crore	Rs. 450 per kg
Wool	32 (Lac kgs)	Rs. 32 Crore	Rs. 100 per kg
Total: Rs. 532 Crore

Demand and Supply (2019-20)

Product	Local Demand	Local Produce	Imports
Mutton	310 lac kgs	112 lac kgs	208 lac kgs
Wool	Nil	32.74 lac kgs	Nil
Hides	Nil	8.5 lacs	Nil
FLIGHT OF CAPITAL: Rs 800-900 crores per year. (Mutton supply from neighboring states)

Current Scenario

Huge local demand for mutton and wide gap between demand and supply
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Focus is on increasing the mutton production and sustaining the gains (fineness etc) already achieved in wool.
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Emphasis on growth and weight gain characteristics for obtaining a progeny with traits of more and quick growth.

Accelerated Breed Improvement

In order to boost the ongoing breed improvement programme and to negate the ill effects of inbreeding, which have crept-in for last several, the department has just imported 420 sheep of Merino breed from Australlia. These shall be bred in departmental farms and their progeny supplied to field for dessemination of high quality germplasm with ultimate aim of significantly increasing the mutton and wool production.

New Technological Interventions

Introduction of Assisted reproductive techniques in Sheep & Goats.

Introduction of Embryo Transfer /Artificial Insemination techniques to enhance reproductive rates and productivity is in pipeline.
Sufficient trained manpower has been developed in such techniques.
Civil works for ETT and AI laboratory have been completed. Only pendency is strengthening of laboratory in terms of equipments.
The techniques are expected to be introduced shortly.

Promoting Multiplicity

Project for increasing twin/triplet births through introgression of Fec-B gene, has been underway at Sheep Farm Goabal for last several years.

Department is now propagating Fec B gene in field, through supply of Fec B Rams, for better returns to farmers in terms of twin/triplet births.

Infrastructural Strengthening

For ensuring better delivery of services to farmers and timely health care to livestock, the department constructed 42 structures like centres, dispensaries, hospitals & laboratories during last ten years. Additional 9 such structures are under construction.

PROPOSED TARGETS OVER THE NEXT 7 YEARS

Increase mutton production by about 60 percent from present 112 lac kgs to 175 lac kgs.
Increase wool production by about 40 percent from present 34 lac kgs to 50 lac kgs.
Creation of about thousands of jobs through sheep farming via establishment of units in private sector.