Introduction of corriedale rams for improving meat and wool quality in hilly regions of Jammu and Kashmir

Sheep is one of the most important source of livelihood and a sustainable sourceof wool and meat for farmers in hilly areas. Sheep farming plays an important role for the upliftment of livelihood security and also improves socio-economic status of farmers in J&K hills. Sheep is a good source of wool and fibre but due to poor genetic trait for wool quality of local non-descript breeds and consequent less returns, farmers in Doda and Kishtwar have now stopped rearing sheep for wool purpose. A good breeding program is required whichresults in a flock of sheep that has a high reproductive rate, good lamb survival and good lamb growth rates. So with these points in mind pure breed Corriedale rams were introduced for breeding purpose in these hilly areas of Jammu under NAIPDoda. Near about 20 pure bred Corriedale breeding rams were distributed among different farmers in all the three clusters near about 18 villages. Breeding in these hilly areas is mostly done twice in a year. These lambs were then used for wool or meat purpose depending on the need of farmer. Shearing of wool is done twice in a year. Wool is sold at a rate of Rs. 40–50 per Kg and meat can be sold at a rate of Rs. 230–240 per Kg. These lambs attain weight of approximately 20-25kg in a period of 1.5 to 2 years. So introduction of Corriedale ram was a great success in improving the livelihood security and generating a sustainable source of income among the farmers. Moreover it was also seen farmers were now more interested in meat production then wool production.