Animal Husbandry of Jammu and Kashmir

Animal Husbandry of Jammu and Kashmir

• Livestock is one of the widely expanding sectors and over the years the sector has established its importance in development of rural economy.
• The sector not only supplements income of the farmers but also provides gainful employment on one hand and supplements the vital and varied nutritional requirements of the individual.

Livestock Population of Animal Husbandry of Jammu and Kashmir:

• As per 18th livestock census 2007, the State has 34.43 lakh cattle (49% crossbred), 10.5 lakh buffaloes, 20.63 lakh goats, 36.85 lakh sheep (60% crossbred), 62000 yak, 1.05 lakh horses and ponies, and 58.55 lakh poultry.
• Between 2003 and 2007, the population of almost all species regis-tered a slight growth. However there has been increase in crossbred cattle (from 13.2 to 16.2 lakh) and Yak (from 0.47 to 0.62lakh) and decrease in horses and ponies (from 1.72 to 1.05 lakh). Apparently, the numbers are getting stabilized to the available feed resources and production environment.
• Around 50% of the total cattle population in the state has been up-graded in to high yielding cross bred variety viz Cross Bred Jer-sey(CBJ) and Cross Bred Holstein Friesian(CBHF).
• Most of the buffalo population is migratory, with majority in Jammu region.
• Majority of this buffalo bulls have been introduced in these local stocks for genetic up-gradation by natural service. In addition to this Artificial Insemination is being carried out by field A.I centers.
• Sheep sector which was a priority sector in eighties, keeping the im-portance of wool industry in view, has shown phenomenal growth by way of it being upgraded to around 60%.
• However the desirability of this up-gradation was focused on production of fine wool traits, which resulted in evolving of Kashmir merino.
• With priority now shifting to production of mutton, rearing of mutton type sheep has been taken up since late nineties.
• In addition, the State has some valuable genetic resources viz. goat breeds for Pashmina, Zanaskari horses and double hump camel.
• Though these species are being developed, for specific role in aug-menting the rural economy by introduction new scientific methods of rearing and selective breeding.

Goat Farming of Animal Husbandry of Jammu and Kashmir

• Goat is known as ‘Poor man’s cow’ in India and is a very important component in dry land farming system.
• Marginal or undulating lands unsuitable for other types of animals like cow or buffalo, goat is the best alternative.
• With very low investments goat rearing can be made in to a profitable venture for small and marginal farmers.

Sheep farming of Animal Husbandry of Jammu and Kashmir

• Few countries in the world have no sheep.
• They are found in tropical countries and in the arctic, in hot climates and in the cold, on the desert and in humid areas.
• There are over 800 breeds of sheep in the world, in a variety of sizes, shapes, types and colours.
• Sheep were domesticated long before the dawn of recorded history.
• Wool fibres have been found in remains of primitive villages of Switzerland that date back an estimated 20000 years.
• Egyptian sculpture dating 4000-5000 B.C. portrays the importance of this species to people.
• Much mention is made in the Bible of flocks, shepherds, sacrificial lambs, and garments made of wool.
• The Roman empire prized sheep, anointed them with special oils, and combed their fleece to produce fine quality fibres that were woven into fabric for the togas of the elite.
• Perhaps the first ruminants domesticated by man along with goats, sheep are a very valuable and important asset to mankind.
• Domesticated sheep : phylum Chordata (backbone), class Mammalia (suckle their young), order Artiodactyla (hooved, even-toed), family Bovidae(ruminants), genus Ovis (domestic and wild sheep), and species Ovisaries

POLICY FRAMEWORK ON LIVESTOCK SECTOR by J&K GOVT

• The agriculture, including livestock, contributes 25.94 % to the Gross State Domestic Product at constant prices, of which livestock has a contribution of 11 %, which is about 40 % of the agriculture and allied activities.
• This contribution is excluding the draught power of the livestock used in ploughing and other transport.
• In absolute terms, the sector contributes Rs. 3240 crore to the state economy at current price as per Gross Stat Domestic Product.
• The contribution of livestock to the state economy is higher than horticulture and crop sector, therefore, this sector deserves an adequate focus in the agriculture policy.
• The Livestock breeding policy of the state of Jammu and Kashmir has taken into consideration the uniqueness of the state in terms of its agro-climatic and geographical positioning within the country.
• This component of the agriculture policy is also built on the edifice of the unique geographical and natural endowments of the state.
• The policy in the space shall have following components:

BREEDING INTERVENTIONS IN CATTLE AND BUFFALO:

• Augmentation of milk productivity and quality: Up gradation with exotic (Jersey and Holstein Friesian H.F) germ plasm shall form the main activity associated with genetic up gradation in these species of large ruminants for ensuring food and nutritional security for the state.
• Artificial insemination shall be the main tool to achieve the hybridisation driven productivity in cattle.
• Non-descript local scrub bulls shall be castrated. Specific breeding interventions will include the following:-

Cattle:

• The State shall employ Jersey and HF breeds for cross breeding of cattle in the state. However, the cross breeding with HF shall be done in plain and irrigated areas of the state while as Jersey germplasm shall be used for cross breeding in semi-hilly and hilly areas of the state.
• The exotic inheritance of both the breeds shall be restricted to 50% only.
• Stress shall be given on selection of quality half bred bulls of local and exotic inheritance for stabilization of desired level of inheritance. To realize it, Open Nucleus Breeding System (ONBS) shall be established in all regions of the state.
• Till such time in Jammu region, the recognized indigenous breeds viz. Haina and Sahiwal, shall constitute the indigenous component of crossbred bulls.
• In other parts of the state, elite local females shall be identified and inseminated with elite semen (H.F and Jersey) to produce the quality half-bred bulls for use in genetic improvement programmes.

Buffalo:

• Up-gradation of the local buffalo population using frozen semen of the selected sires of Murrah through artificial insemination.
• Upgradation of buffaloes in border areas of R.S. Pora, Kathua and Samba shall be done by introduction of germ plasm of Nih Ravi breed.

BREEDING INTERVENTIONS IN SHEEP:

• Emphasis will be given on production of mutton. In addition, a dual purpose (wool and mutton) breed shall be evolved by appropriate selection and breeding methods.
• The cross breeding of local sheep with fine wool breeds like Merino and Rambouillet (with exotic inheritance up to maximum 75%) shall be continued in uncovered areas.
• Selective breeding of 3/4 exotic and ¼ local inheritance shall be stabilized with more stress on mutton traits.
• Muttonous breeds shall be introduced in the state in view of huge gap in demand and local supply. But the gains made in the traits stabilized for production of fine wool in the local crosses shall be ensured to be maintained and not diluted in any case.
• Region specific strategies will include the following:-

Kashmir division:

• Stabilization of inheritance level (75% merinos 25% local) by selective breeding with stress on mutton production shall be ensured. The gains obtained in fine wool shall be maintained (at least 23 micron fibre diameter).
  • The breeding of dual purpose sheep of Corriedale breed (with exotic inheritance up to maximum 75%) in orchard areas of Kashmir Division shall be continued.
  • Appropriate levels of inheritance of muttonous breeds, like Dorper and local sheep, shall be identified and introduced after performance evaluation in the orchard production system of Kashmir.
  • ln-situ as well as ex-situ conservation of threatened sheep breeds of the divisions of Gurez and Karna shall be ensured.
  • Efforts shall be made for introduction of highly prolific genes in sheep for production of twins and triplets for vertical/horizontal growth.

iJammu division:

• Stabilization of inheritance level (75% Rambouillet- 25% local) by selective breeding with stress on mutton production shall be ensured.
• The gains obtained in fine wool shall be maintained (at least 24 micron fibre diameter).
• Breeds, like Dorper and local sheep shall be identified and introduced after performance evaluation in the plain belts of Jammu Division.
  • In-situ as well as ex-situ conservation of threatened sheep breeds of the division( Baderwai/gaddi and Punchi) shall be ensured.
• Efforts shall be made for introduction of highly prolific genes in sheep for production of twins and triplets for vertical/horizontal growth.

Leh district:

• Breed improvement of Changluk sheep for dual purpose (mutton and wool) shall be taken up by selective breeding
• The existing policy of cross breeding of sheep of Ladakh, with merinos in certain pockets, shall be dispensed with and replaced by selective breeding with Malluk and its cross breeding with Changluk.

Kargil district:

• Selective breeding amongst the local sheep in whole of Kargil shall be taken up.
• The breeding of Merino Sheep for fine wool in specific pockets of Kargil, where it has proved successful, shall be organised.
• In view of the acceptability of Karakul breed of Sheep for enhanced mutton production, the same shall be continued, as per the present practice, in selective areas of Kargil district.
• Pilot studies on introduction of Changluk inheritance in sheep native to Kargil shall be taken up to ascertain their combining ability.

BREEDING INTERVENTIONS IN GOATS:

• There are some unique genetic resources in the form of Pashmina/Changra goats and big sized Khagani goats.
• Besides these, there are some non-descript local breeds too.
• Accordingly, the policy for this sector shall be oriented towards augmentation of quality Chevon and fibre production through appropriate breeding technologies.
• Region specific strategies will include the following:-

Kashmir division:

• Khagani breed shall be used as an improver breed in non-descript local flocks because of its reported quality performance under temperate climes.
• Appropriate levels of inheritance of Boer breed shall be identified and introduced after performance evaluation.

Jammu division:

• Augmentation of Chevon production by selective breeding in private flocks of Khagani breed of goat shall be aimed at.
• In-situ conservation of local gaddi goat shall be taken up. Introduction of Beetel breed of goat from Punjab/Himachal Pradesh in Kandi belt and Shivalik hill ranges of Jammu Division shall be done after evaluation of performance traits.

Leh district:

• Selective breeding of Pashmina goats shall be taken up in traditional areas of Leh District. Its further propagation in non traditional areas shall also be taken up.
• Performance studies of Maira goats with regards to production of fibre and Chevon shall be done along with its combining ability with Pashmina/Changra goats for better fibre and Chevon production.
• Angora goats presently having low acceptability with the breeders of Leh shall be phased out and replaced by Changthangi as an improver breed.
• Exotic/indigenous breeds shall be introduced in Nobra and other areas of Leh district.

Kargil district:

• Introduction of Exotic/indigenous germplasm in local goats of Kargil district for augmenting milk production in selected areas of the district.
• Propagation of Pashmina goats in non-traditional areas of Kargil district shall be taken up.
• Selective breeding of local goat for higher growth in Chevon production shall be carried out.
• The combining ability of local goat germplasm with Changra goat for pashmina production shall be explored.

 

 

BREEDING INTERVENTIONS IN POULTRY of Animal Husbandry of Jammu and Kashmir:

• There is a wide gap between demand and production of poultry and poultry products in the State.
• The activities in this sector need to be augmented to the maximum.
• However, due to 35 high cost of egg production under intensive poultry (eggers) in temperate zones because of competition of organized poultry sector with humans for grains, development of region specific dual purpose bird for backyard poultry sector merits consideration.
• This sector shall also be diversified by introduction of new variants of Poultry species after conducting validation trials in specific areas.

The strategy wise include the following:-

• Development of area specific, self propagating, self sustaining, colored bird of dual purpose (meat and egg) for backyard sector shall be treated as a priority.
  • Till the development of contemplated bird, the birds developed elsewhere in the country shall be propagated after validation of their performance.
    • The policy shall aim at increasing production of eggs and poultry meat by popularizing low input technology birds in backyard farms and also by encouraging broiler farming.
    • Selective breeding of local ducks with the objective of evolving a better performing duck in the backyard shall be executed.
    • Duck (Khaki Campbel), Japanese Quail farming and Emu farming shall also be taken up to augment the poultry meat production and to meet the requirement of consumers of these birds.

OTHER LIVESTOCK SPECIES Animal Husbandry of Jammu and Kashmir:

• Double Humped Camel Yak and Zanaskari Horses are other domestic farm species of specific importance to certain areas, especially the trans-Himalayan region of Ladakh (Leh and Kargil) for their abilities to survive extreme climate, thrive on coarse feed and fodder and work as beasts of burden in difficult topography.
• Despite strategic and socioeconomic importance, their production remained neglected in the past.
• The immediate problem is their dwindling population and rampant in-breeding, which under this policy, shall be addressed.