Himachal Pradesh Govt. to Genetically Engineer Goats & Sheep to Improve Wool Yield, Preserve Gene Pool
Himachal Pradesh has launched a centrally sponsored project for the genetic improvement of indigenous sheep and goat species in Chamba and Mandi districts, state Animal Husbandry Minister Virender Kanwar said on Wednesday. The aim is to help preserve the gene pool of the native breed species.
The five-year-long livestock development project—Genetic improvement of Gaddi sheep—has an outlay of ₹595 crore.
The minister said the government of India will provide ₹535.5 crore, while the state government will provide the remaining amount. A provision of ₹179.47 crore has been made in the initial year.
Kanwar said this programme would raise the economic status of around 5,000 Gaddi people living in remote areas of Chamba and Mandi districts.
The project is targeted at selective breeding programs based on production parameters such as body weight and the ability to produce offspring. It will look to increase productivity as well as reduce mortality of indigenous sheep and goats, so as to improve their body weight and wool yield.
Improving body weight and wool yield is a major challenge in sheep production, a government statement said. Apart from improving these two features, however, the selective breeding of Gaddi sheep will also help preserve their gene pool.
There are 197,278 nondescript sheep in Himachal Pradesh as per the census of 2012
source-https://weather.com
