New units, mass vaccinations give fillip to Shopian’s sheep economy

Shopian, Feb 26: The Sheep Husbandry Department in Shopian expanded income-generating units, scaled up animal health coverage and strengthened fodder support during the 2025–26 financial year, officials said, to reinforce rural livelihoods across the south Kashmir district.

A total of 185 sheep units were established under various government programmes with a financial outlay of Rs165.18 lakh, generating direct employment opportunities for 452 people, the department said. Officials described the initiative as part of a broader strategy to strengthen the district’s livestock production base and improve household incomes in rural areas.

The units were set up under the Integrated Sheep Development Scheme (103 units), HADP (39), JKCIP (22), RKVY (10), the Tribal Sub Plan (10) and the National Livestock Mission (1), ensuring wider coverage and scheme convergence across different beneficiary groups.

To promote scientific rearing practices, the department organised 20 awareness, training and demonstration programmes under the ATMA–SMAE and ASCAD components, benefiting 505 farmers. The programmes focused on disease management, improved breeding practices and measures to enhance productivity.

Animal health services were expanded during the year, with 20,785 livestock treated. Officials said 3,72,272 doses and 2,75,328 vaccinations were administered, including free vaccinations against foot-and-mouth disease and peste des petits ruminants. Medicines were also supplied to farmers at subsidised rates ranging from 50 to 75 per cent, helping reduce disease incidence and economic losses.

As part of genetic improvement efforts, 116 elite government breeding rams were distributed among selected breeders. During the period, the department reported mutton production of 7.59 lakh kilograms and wool output of 2.24 lakh kilograms.

To strengthen fodder security, 453 seed kits were distributed free of cost, including 224 kits of perennial rye grass and 229 kits of perennial red clover, aimed at supporting the district’s horti-pastoral system.

Officials said the interventions were designed to enhance productivity, improve breed quality and promote sustainable income generation for sheep and goat rearers across Shopian district.