About USWDB
Uttrakhand Sheep and Wool Development Board (USWDB)
Sheep and goat husbandry plays a crucial role in rural economy of people living in high altitude of Himalayan ranges of Uttarakhand. It is the chief vocation of the farmers and the main income source, as the adverse climatic condition doesn’t allow cultivation of cash crops. Moreover, the sheep wool and goat hair assists in keeping the locals warm during harsh winters. To cater specifically for small animal farmers the Uttarakhand sheep and wool development board was established. (GO: 568/ प. म. दु- उ. वि. बो/2003 देहरादून /दि - 29/10/2003)
Introduction
- Sheep husbandry was introduced in Uttarakhand in Tehri in 1939. Since then sheep and goat husbandry has become endemic to Uttarakhand and has emerged as a sustainable source of livelihood for the poor and marginal farmers of the state. Thus to promote and encourage scientific outlook towards sheep and goat husbandry in the newly formed state in 2000, Uttarakhand Sheep and Wool Development Board (USWDB) was envisioned and came into existence as a registered body under the Society Registration Act, (1860).
- The main objectives of USWDB is improvement in germplasm of livestock through implementation of breeding policy for Sheep, Goat and Rabbit (Gazette Notification 249/XV-1/2005, Dated 26th May 2005) and to facilitate increase in livelihood of the farmers through skill development.
- According to the 20th Livestock census, 2019 the sheep and goat population in the state is 2.85 lakhs and 13.71 lakhs respectively in the state. The total wool production in the state for the year 2014-15 was 4690 qtl. and the total meat production was 109 lakh kg. The sheep and goat farmers(more than 2 Lakh) of the state are the welfare targets of USWDB who are to be brought under the mainstream of development by distribution of elite germplasm rams and bucks produced at 11 Govt. Sheep Breeding Farms, 02 Govt. Goat Breeding Farms and 05 Ram Raising Units.
- One of the major achievements for USWDB is getting 240 merino Sheep from Australia in December 2019 which has enabled Uttarakhand to develop high germplasm crossbred Sheep in densely populated pockets. Apart from this, heat synchronisation, artificial insemination and Biometric Registration of farmers has been introduced in the state by USWDB.
Some of the issues to be worked upon and tackled by USWDB to achieve integrated and extensive growth in sheep and goat development in the near future are, Strengthening of Govt. Sheep/Goat Breeding Farms, introduction of latest technology and equipments at farms and field, timely purchase and marketing of farmer’s produce and to make the marginal farmers self reliant through formation of Self help groups, Producer Groups and Livelihood collectives.
Objective
- Improvement in germplasm of small animals through implementation of breeding policy for Sheep, Goat and Rabbit (Gazette Notification 249/XV-1/2005, Dated 26th May 2005).
- To develop and execute breeding policy related programs and schemes in Uttarakhand.
- Government/non-government/semi-government/voluntary institutions and agencies etc. will work under the aegis of USWDB.
- Organization of sheep and goat farmers into cooperative societies.
Vision
- Intensive development of sheep, goats and rabbits in Uttarakhand.
- To raise the living standard of sheep and goat farmers.
Mission
Duties of Board
Health care program to reduce the mortality rate of sheep of farmers.
- Vaccination program for prevention of diseases of sheep.
- Breed improvement program in the sheep.
- Improve the standard of living of sheep herders.
- To cooperate in getting fair price for the product produced by the sheep farmers.
- To provide information/training to sheep herders on new techniques in sheep rearing programme.
- To make sheep farmers aware about sheep farming business.
- Helping sheep Farmers to form self-help groups/organizations/committees.
- Provide assistance in establishing new welfare programs in sheep/goat sector in convergence with other departments.
Strategy:
- Artificial insemination program in sheep and goat.
- Improvement in the quality of wool and increase in meat production by improving the breed of sheep and goat.
- To promote sheep-goat rearing by organizing sheep and goat farmers into cooperative societies.
- Increase in meat production through breed improvement in sheep and goat while promoting goat/sheep rearing.