Sheep Rearing

India has about 4 per cent of the total population of sheep in the world. They are an important source of mutton, wool and hide in the country. There were about 39 million sheep in the country in 1951 which increased to 55 million in 2005-06. The total production of raw wool in 2005-06 was 45 thousand tonnes.

Sheep rearing in India is done mainly in Rajasthan (25%), followed by Andhra Pradesh (16%), Tamil Nadu (12%), Karnataka (11%), and Maharashtra (6%) of the total sheep of the country. The important breeds of sheep are Lohi, Kutchi, Bikaneri, Marwari, Kathiawari, Jaisalmeri, Sonadi, Malpuri, Magra, Shekfiawati, Pugal, Deccani, Nellori, Bellary, Gureji, Kama, Bakkarwal, Gaddi. The Indian wool is, however, inferior to that of Australia and South Africa in quality and is called the coarse carpet wool. India exports wool to USA and UK.

The sheep breeds in India are generally poor. Efforts are being made to improve sheep breeds by crossing local breeds with the imported quality breeds like Australian Merino, Russian Merino, Spanish Merino, Cheviot, Leicester, and Lincoln (UK).