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Network Project on Sheep Improvement



The Network Project on Sheep Improvement (NWPSI) came into existence on 01.04.1990, when all the centers of All India Coordinated Research Project on Sheep Breeding (AICRP SB) merged to NWPSI. In NWPSI emphasis has been given on evaluation and improvement of indigenous sheep genetic resources by selective breeding. Under NWPSI indigenous sheep breeds are improved through selection and inter-se mating primarily for mutton and also for wool production.




1. Coordination Cell : PC, Cell, NWPSI, ICAR-CSWRI, Avikanagar

2. Cooperating Units:
Sr. No Location Status Breed Objective
A.  Farm based Cooperating units
1. ARC (CSWRI), Bikaner ICAR Marwari sheep Carpet Wool
2. CIRG, Makhdoom ICAR Muzaffarnagri sheep Dual purpose
3. MPKV, Rahuri SAU Deccani sheep Dual purpose
4. SVVU, Palamner SAU Nellore sheep Mutton
B. Field-based Cooperating units
1. TANUVAS, Kattupakkam SAU Madras Red sheep Mutton
2. ARC (CSWRI), Bikaner ICAR Magra Sheep Carpet Wool

Presently, there are six ongoing cooperating centers of NWPSI in the country with its coordinating unit at PC Cell, ICAR-Central Sheep and Wool Research Institute, Avikanagar, Tonk (Rajasthan). Four of these units are farm based units with annual target of 50 rams sale/distribution while two of them are field based units with annual target of 100 rams sale/distribution to cover maximum ewes in the field.


Project Team
Name Designation Location Email - ID
ICAR Head Quarter
Dr. J.K. Jena DDG(AS) ICAR, New Delhi ddgas.icar@nic.in
Dr. R.S. Gandhi AGD(AP&B) ICAR, New Delhi ravindersinghgandhi@gmail.com
Dr. Vineet Bhasin Pr. Scientist(AG&B) ICAR, New Delhi vineetbhasin.icar@nic.in
Coordinating Cell, ICAR-CSWRI, Avikanagar
Dr. Arun Kumar Act-Head & Project Coordinator (SB) CSWRI karunt04@gmail.com
Dr. G.R. Gowane Sr. Scientist(AG&B) Nodal Officer NWPSI Div. of AG&B, CSWRI Gopal.Gowane@icar.gov.in
Mr. Najif Akram SRF PC Cell, CSWRI najeefansari@gmail.com
Division of AG&B, ICAR-CSWRI, Avikanagar
Dr. Arun Kumar Head (AGB), Incharge-NWPSI & MSSP Div. of AG&B, CSWRI karunt04@gmail.com
Cooperating Sheeps Units
Dr. Ashish Chopra Sr. Scientist & PI, Magra Unit ARC, CSWRI, Bikaner ashishchopra1234@gmail.com
Dr. H.K.Narula Pr. Scientist & PI, Marwari Unit ARC, CSWRI, Bikaner hknarula@yahoo.co.in
Dr. Gopal Dass Pr. Scientist & PI, Muzaffarnagri Unit CIRG, Makhdoom gopaldass67@gmail.com
Dr. G. Gangaraju Professor & PI, Nellore Unit LRS, SVVU, Palamner gollamoorigangaraju@yahoo.co.in, lrsplnr@gmail.com
Dr. R. Venkataramanan Asstt. Professor & PI, Madras Red Unit PGRIAS, AVUVAS, Kattupakkam lrs@tanuvas.org.in, venkyvet@gmail.com
Dr. YB Kandalkar Asstt. Professor & PI, Deccani Unit MPKV, Rahuri pideccanisheepmpkv@gmail.com, ybkandalkar@gmail.com

The objectives of NWPSI is Genetic improvement of indigenous sheep breeds by selection. The technical programme aims at improvement of indigenous sheep breeds under farm conditions wherein the ram lambs are first ranked using selection index and selected rams are used for mating by the age of 18 months. Subsequently these rams are again evaluated based on their progeny performance and best 2 3 rams are selected and used for further breeding. Breeding rams of high breeding value are produced from farm based unit every year for germplasm distribution. The Sheep Improvement Programmes will continue and efforts will be made to bring overall improvement in sheep productivity through distribution of superior germplasm and adoption of improved scientific management practices. Each field-based unit has four centres including a ram-rearing centre, covering a sheep population of about 1500 breedable ewes per centre. The superior male lambs are selected from the farmers’ flocks on the basis of first six monthly greasy fleece yield and six month body weight in Magra sheep and on six month body weight basis in Madras Red sheep. Male lambs are initially identified at 3 month of age and are finally selected after first shearing/market weight.


Farm units (as on 31.03.2018)
Breed Adult Male Adult Female Total Strength
Marwari 57 382 439
Muzaffarnagri 50 270 320
Deccani 63 334 397
Nellore 59 309 368
Magra 86 311 397
Total 315 1606 1921

Field units:Flock coverage (as on 31.03.2018)
Unit Sheep breeders registered Total sheep registered Breedable ewes
Madras Red 112 8895 5159
Magra 53 6451 3250
Total 165 15346 8409

Sale of adult rams and ewes for genetic improvement During the year (2017-18) a total of 24 rams and 20 ewes of Marwari, 51 rams and 137 ewes of Muzaffarnagri, 54 rams and 14 ewes of Deccani, 79 rams of Nellore, 125 rams of Madras Red, 71 rams of Magra sheep were sold and distributed for genetic improvement of farmers flock during the year (2017-18). A total of 404 rams, 49 hogget male, 20 hogget female and 171 adult females (ewes) were sold or distributed for genetic improvement program.

Activities in the field units: During the year (2017-18) a total of 8895 Madras red sheep having 5159 breedable ewes of 112 sheep farmers and 6451 Magra sheep with 3250 breedable ewes of 53 sheep farmers were covered under field units for performance recording and improvement. Identification of animals in the field was strengthened for accuracy of data recording.


Performance of Different Breed of Sheep (2017-18)
Breed / Particulars Body weight at different months(Kg) Lambing % (Ewe Available) Annual GFY (gm)
Birth 3M 6M 12M
Marwari (Farm flock) 3.20 ± 0.03 (272) 17.43 ± 0.18 (263) 24.80 ± 0.26 (192) 35.27 ± 0.53 (57) 88.15 1375.35 ± 11.57 (342)
Muzaffarnagri (Farm flock) 3.52 ± 0.04 (233) 16.28 ± 0.26 (212) 25.54 ± 0.49 (140) 36.59 ± 0.53 (79) 91.5 1141.76 ± 19.83 (219)
Deccani (Farm flock) 3.20 ± 0.02 (249) 13.67 ± 0.08 (209) 23.40 ± 0.17 (95) 28.23 ± 0.27 (64) 90.28 956.40 ± 6.93 (325)
Nellore (Farm flock) 3.25 ± 0.02 (412) 14.97 ± 0.19 (387) 23.97 ± 0.20 (278) 28.37 ± 0.21 (135) 85.94 NA
Magra (Farm flock) 3.09 ± 0.03 (207) 16.22 ± 0.19 (201) 23.66 ± 0.25 (171) 31.55 ± 0.41 (72) 85.00 1886.03 ± 13.30 (329)
Magra (Field flock) 2.96 ± 0.01 (1452) 15.65 ± 0.04 (1255) 21.92 ± 0.06 (1004) 28.84 ± 0.05 (846) 79.23 565.91 ± 2.91 (325)
Madras Red (Farm flock) 2.65 ± 0.89 (238) 10.54 ± 0.129 (785) 15.95 ± 0.214 (793) 21.54 ± 0.367 (383) 87.26 NA


Director
Ram Distribution by Dr. Arun Kumar, Director, CSWRI at Deccani Unit


Bikaner
Magra Ram distribution by Dr. J.K. Jena, DDG (AS) at ARC Bikaner


Nellore
Nellore Sheep Flock at SVVU Palamner


wool
Deccani (Sangamneri strain) flock at MPKV Rahuri


One Two
Marwari Arid Region Campus (ICAR-CSWRI), Bikaner Muzaffarnagri ICAR- CIRG, Makhdoom
One Two
Deccani MPKV, Rahuri Nellore SVVU, LRS Palamner
One Two
Madras Red PGRIAS, TANUVAS, Kattupakkam Magra Arid Region Campus (ICAR-CSWRI), Bikaner