BELGAUM: Sheep rearing plays an important role in the development of rural economy in the country. The need of the hour is to train shepherds in scientific farming techniques so that they can give a boost to their source of income from this vocation.

Sheep has been an important component of India's rural economy because of its utility for wool, meat, milk, leather and manure and is regarded as a dependable source of income. Though Rajasthan stands first in sheep rearing in the country, Karnataka's sheep/goat population is stated to be third largest after Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh. As per the 2003 Census, the population of sheep in the State is 72.55 lakhs and that of goat is 44.83 lakhs.

The State Government established the Sheep and Goat Development Board in 1975 with the objective of encouraging farmers in general and shepherds in particular to take up sheep rearing in a scientific manner and thereby boost rural economy and improve the financial condition of shepherds.

Subsequently, it was converted into a corporation on April 1, 2002. Apart from breeding, training in sheep rearing techniques is imparted through these centres.

The vast tracts of low-rainfall and drought-affected lands provide a suitable climate for sheep husbandry in Belgaum district.

In addition to breeding centres at Guttal in Haveri, Chellekere in Chitradurga, Dhanguru in Mandya and Anagawadi in Bagalkot districts, a breeding centre at Suttatti of Athani taluk is functioning in Belgaum district.

Sources said the breeding centres are used to evolve suitable strain by crossing local "Deccani" with "Merino", "Corridale" and "Rambouillet" rams.

The meat and wool yielding "Deccani" breed is available mainly in Belgaum, Bijapur, Dharwad, Bidar, Gulbarga, Bagalkot and Raichur districts in north Karnataka.

Each ram weighs nearly 40 kg while an ewe weighs around 30 kg. They produce 500 grams to 700 grams of wool each every year. The meat of the "Banduru" breed is stated to be the best. The male weighs around 30 kg to 45 kg while the female sheep weighs around 30 kg to 35 kg. There are also instances of a "Banduru" sheep giving 60 kg meat depending upon the rearing.

In addition to wool and meat, the other important sources of income from sheep are milk, skin (leather) and manure. Sheep rearing is economically cheaper for various reasons.

It does not require expensive structures to house them, and the foundation stock is relatively cheap and could be multiplied rapidly. An excellent weed destroyer, unlike goats, sheep hardly damage any tree.

There are several sheep breeding and wool producing societies in the district. The wool produced from sheep is mainly consumed for making "kambli" (rug). There are several "kambli" weaving centres at Benakatti, Raibag, Sankeshwar and Suttatti in the district. Even women are engaged in twisting the yarn for "kambli".

Importantly, the Belgaum "kambli" is superior in quality when compared to those woven in other parts of the State. However, the potential for "kambli" manufacturing has not been exploited for exports. The scope for manufacturing shawl and other products from sheep wool is also yet to be explored.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail