Vol. 9, Special Issue 5, Part D (2024)

Author(s): Akanksha, Subhankar Paul, Nikhil Sachan, Surya Kant, KD Singh and Vikas

Abstract: Globally and particularly in emerging nations, the production of small ruminants constitutes a substantial portion of the livestock industry. Among all livestock species, small ruminant husbandry has enormous socioeconomic benefits for impoverished farmers. Over the past few decades, small ruminants have steadily gained importance in the rural economy, especially in arid and semi-arid areas. In arid and semiarid rain-fed areas, small ruminants are crucial to the food and nutritional security of millions of rural people, particularly the landless, marginal, and small farmers. Small ruminants are prized for their meat, milk, wool, and hair. In India, sheep and goats are the most common meat-producing animals. The meat is widely favoured by people of all castes and religions. Recently, there has been growth in the total livestock population, including small ruminants. The total livestock population in India is 535.78 million, which increased by 4.6%, with goats contributing 148.88 million and sheep contributing 74.26 million. There is also a rise in the population of goats and sheep, i.e., 10.1% and 14.1%, respectively. The consistent rise in the number of sheep and goats over the past 20 years is a notable trend in the global livestock population. The biodiversity of small ruminants is considerable in India. 39 goat breeds and 45 sheep breeds have been notified and registered by the ICAR-National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources. Among goat breeds, Jamunapari is the most famous for its milk production, whereas the Black Bengal breed (eastern region) is highly valued for its skin, meat production, and prolificacy, and Chegu and Changthangi breeds from the temperate Himalayan region produce high-quality fibre known as Pashmina. Some other breeds of goat also have better milk-producing abilities, including Surti, Osmanabadi, Zalawadi, Sirohi, etc. In the case of sheep, breeds from the southern region (Mandya, Nellore) are mostly mutton type; Himalayan breeds (Gaddi, Gurez) are known for the production of wool (carpet type), whereas breeds of the north-western arid and semiarid regions have greater diversity in terms of production, including Chokla (Indian Merino) which has potential for wool production; Sonadi is known for its milk-producing ability; and Marwari is a triple-purpose breed (milk, meat, and wool) along with disease-resistant capacity.

DOI: 10.22271/veterinary.2024.v9.i5Sd.1714