Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) Calls for Integrated Value Chains in Sheep and Goat Sector
The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD), Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Government of India, in collaboration with ICAR-Central Sheep Wool Research Institute (ICAR-CSWRI), organized a sheep symposium on 22nd December, 2025 at ICAR-CSWRI, Avikanagar, Rajasthan.
The event was graced by Shri. Naresh Pal Gangwar, Secretary, DAHD, Dr Praveen Malik, Animal Husbandry Commissioner, Dr Muthukumarsamy B., Joint Secretary, DAHD, Shri Ritesh Chauhan, Secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry, Govt of Himachal Pradesh along with officials from Government and CSWRI.
The event also witnessed countrywide participation from various State Animal Husbandry Departments, ICAR Institutes like ICAR-National Meat Research Institute, ICAR-National Institute of Natural Fibre Engineering and Technology, Central Wool Development Board, CCS-National Institute of Agricultural Marketing, National dairy Development Board, Industry groups, start-ups, Non-Government Organisations, experts, entrepreneurs and sheep farmers.
Dr. Arun Kumar Tomar, Director, ICAR-CSWRI delivered the welcome address acknowledging the presence of dignitaries and participants. He briefed about the status of sheep, mutton and wool sector in the country.
Dr. Muthukumarasamy B, Joint Secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD), stated that the Department is giving special emphasis to sheep breed improvement programmes under the National Livestock Mission (NLM). Under the Entrepreneurship Development Programme (EDP) of NLM, capital subsidy of up to 50% (maximum ₹50 lakh) is being provided for projects with a capacity of 500 sheep/or goats. The response to scheme is overwhelming.
He added that under the Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF), DAHD is providing 3% interest subvention for activities such as waste-to-wealth initiatives, vaccine production units, and primary wool processing units. While highlighting the need for capacity building and skill development, he stressed upon the importance of private sector participation in training farmers and entrepreneurs.
He highlighted the genetic improvement initiatives of the Government and emphasized on need of reach of Artificial insemination services to rural households through mobile veterinary vans.
Dr Praveen Malik, Animal Husbandry Commissioner, GOI emphsasized the need of recognizing the resources and make policies accordingly.
Mr. Naresh Pal Gangwar, Secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD), Government of India, informed that the dairy and poultry sectors in the country have successfully developed robust value chains through cooperatives and private enterprises, ensuring remunerative prices for farmers. He highlighted that India contributes nearly 25% of global milk production and ranks second in egg production globally.
Emphasising the untapped potential of the sheep and goat sector, he remarked that sheep and goats are often referred to as the “ATM of the poor”, underscoring their importance in rural livelihoods. He stressed the need to strengthen this sector through research-driven interventions, ensuring that outcomes of research reach farmers directly. He underlined the necessity of developing integrated value chains in the sheep sector, similar to those in the dairy sector.
On disease control, he stated that states must strengthen veterinary services, with the Government of India supporting them through PPR vaccination programmes, which is crucial given the high export potential and growing domestic demand–supply gap. He emphasised the need to enhance productivity in meat and wool and to develop high-performing breeds, especially in view of declining wool demand due to synthetic alternatives.
During the seminar, a newsletter on CSWRI at a Glance has also been released.
The symposium consisted of technical sessions on wool, mutton, milk, sheep genetic resources and entrepreneurship in sheep husbandry wherein the farmers, entrepreneurs, industry and experts had a threadbare discussions on the issues relating to sheep sector.
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JP