Uttrakhand Sheep and Wool Development Board (USWDB)
Uttarakhand Sheep and Wool Development Board (USWDB) is a registered organization under the Society Registration Act, (1860) established for the purpose of promoting livelihoods of the sheep and goat farmers of the state. The main objectives of USWDB are 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), skill development of farmers and encouraging scientific farming practices.
- Sheep husbandry was introduced in Tehri, Uttarakhand in 1939. Over time, it evolved from a simple farming activity into a vital economic lifeline for marginalized agricultural families across the state. When Uttarakhand emerged as India newest state in 2000, the need for a dedicated organization to oversee and modernize this traditional practice became apparent. This led to the establishment of the Uttarakhand Sheep and Wool Development Board (USWDB) under the Society Registration Act of 1860. The board was entrusted with the mission of bringing scientific methodology to sheep and goat husbandry, as formalized in the 2005 Gazette Notification that outlined breeding policies for sheep, goats, and rabbits. Today, the state boasts a remarkable livestock population, with 2.85 lakh sheep and 13.72 lakh goats as per the 2019 census. The sector productivity is equally impressive, with the 2023-24 fiscal year recording 4,280 quintals of wool production, averaging 1.8 kg per sheep, alongside a substantial meat production of 110,800 units including goat meat. USWDB operates a network of breeding facilities: 11 government sheep breeding farms, 3 goat breeding farms, and 5 ram raising units. These facilities produce, maintain and distribute high-quality breeding stock to local farmers to improve livestock genetics across the state. Since December 2019, USWDB has used imported Australian Merino rams to improve local sheep genetics. This has produced around 420 pure Merino offspring that have been distributed across the state. The breeding program has successfully improved wool quality, reducing fibre diameter from 22-32 microns in local sheep to 17-22 microns in state farm sheep. Furthermore, USWDB conducts machine shearing camps and provides training to local shepherds in using machine shearing equipment upon request. USWDB has created a comprehensive digital database of sheep and goat farmers across the state to streamline services and support. The board is actively working to strengthen its breeding farms, introduce advanced technologies and equipment, and improve the marketing infrastructure for farmers produce. USWDB is also supporting community-based development through the formation of farmer producer groups aiming to transform marginal farmers into self-reliant entrepreneurs.
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