Sheep - AgRIS

11. Sheep Production System in Different Part of India
India can be divided, on the basis of the agroclimatic conditions and the type of sheep into
4 regions, viz. (1) the north-western, central and semi-arid region, (ii) the southern region, (iii)
the eastern region, and (iv) the northern temperate region.
11.1 Northern temperate Region
The Northern temperate region comprises Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and
hilly regions of Uttar Pradesh. About 7.68 million hectares of land available for natural grazing.
Andropogon, Apluda, Aristida and Setaria species among annual and Dichanthium, Eragrostis,
Heteropogon and Themeda species among perennial are the main grasses found in the region
except in the Alpine pastures where temperate grasses and legumes, viz. red and white clover
and rye grass are found. The important fodder trees and shrubs are Acacia, Bauhinia, Morus,
Terminalia and Zizyphus species. This region has 4.34 million sheep and accounts for 8.82 per
cent of the total population. It produces about 5.69 million kg wool (13.8 per cent). Ofthis
about 1.2 million kg is of 36 S to 48 S quality and 4.3 million kg of 48 S and above quality. The
largest population of crossbred sheep primarily developed for apparel wool is in this region. In
Jammu & Kashmir the crossbred sheep, mostly Merino crosses with variable level of Merino
inheritance known as Kashmir Merino, constitute almost 70 per cent of the population.
11.2 North-western, Region
This region comprises the states of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, plains of Uttar
Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. About 45.63 million hectares of land is under natural vegetation
and is available for animal grazing. The major annual grasses of the region are Andropogon and
Aristida species. The important perennial grasses are Cenchrus, Lasiurus, Panicum, Sehima,
Andropogon and Heteropogon species. The major shrubs and trees are Acacia, Albizia,
Dicrostachys, Prosopis and Hardwickia species. This region has the second largest sheep
population (18.42 million; 37.44 per cent of the total population). The annual wool production
is 24.7 million kg (about 59.14 per cent of the total wool produced in the country). This region
is most important for carpet wool production. Chokla and Pattanwadi produce good quality
carpet/ medium-quality apparel wool. Malpura and Sonadi have extremely coarse and hairy
fleeces and are to some extent used for milk. The other breeds produce medium to good-quality
carpet wool.
11. 3 Southern Region
This region is semi-arid in the central peninsular area and hot and humid along the coast. It
comprises the states of Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
About 34.90 million hectare area is available for natural grazing. The major annual grasses
ofthe area are Aristida species and the perennial grasses are Andropogon, Cenchrus,
Chrysopogon, Dicanthium, Heteropogon, Sehima and Themeda species. Important fodder trees
and shrubs are Acacia, Hardwicikia and Bauxinia species. This region has the largest sheep
population (21.48 million; 43.66 per cent of total population). Almost 50 per cent of the sheep
in the region do not produce any wool. The rest produce extremely coarse, hairy and coloured
fleece. Most of the sheep in the region are primarily maintained for meat and manure except
Nilgiris. Nilgiris produce fleece of good quality. Their number is extremely small and is
restricted to Nilgiri hills. Their rearing poses problems as shearing facilities are not available
and disposal of wool is also a limiting factor. Nearly 9.3 million kg wool, about 22.51 per cent
ofthe total wool in the country, is produced in this region. The wool is of below 36 S quality,
excepting for a small quantity produced by Nilgiri sheep which is above 48 S . The wool is thus
for extremely coarse carpets, barrack blankets and handspun woven kumblies. The Nellore is
the tallest breed and Mandya, also known as Bandur or Bannur, is the shortest and among the
Indian breeds has the best meaty conformation. The majority of breeds in Tamil Nadu, Andhra
Pradesh and Karnataka, except Bellary or Deccani, fall within the range of height and colour of
Nellore and Mandya.
11.4 Eastern Region
This region comprises the states of Bihar, West Bengal, Orissa, Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal
Pradesh, Mizoram, Manipur, Tripura, Nagaland and Sikkim. It is mostly hot and humid, except
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