Production And Marketing Of Wool And Mutton In India

Animal husbandry is one of the major sources of supplementing rural incomes in India. The type of animals reared depends on the socio-economic and agro-climatic conditions prevailing in the region concerned. Furthermore, different types of livestock rearing practices are followed in different regions of the country. Therefore, regional studies giving details of farming system and economics of livestock production assume importance because of their in depth analysis and location specific relevant results. It was from this view point that the present study was undertaken in the Western Himalayan region of India comprising Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh hills. This region has rugged mountains, cold climate and good pastures. The agro-climatic conditions prevalent in the region offer good scope for development of livestock industry especially for sheep and goats. Hence, in this study livestock farming system and economics of wool and meat production are discussed. The study may be useful to academicians, planners and administrators having interest in the development of Western Himalayan region and other hilly areas having similar conditions. It will also be of interest to those involved in meat and woolen industries. The book is based on field data collected from a sample of shepherds from Himachal Pradesh representing the whole Western Himalayan region. It focuses on aspects like sheep and goat development programmes in the country; sheep and goats rearing practices in the study area, costs and returned in wool and meat production, and marketing system and prices of wool and meat. The employment and income of shepherds from various sources have also been analysed in details. In the last, the study suggests further strategies to be followed for further development of wool and meat industry in the region.