Abstract
Small ruminants (sheep and goat) are essential components of the mixed farming system of Nepal. About 13.6 million small ruminants in the country contributing to the food, nutrition, and economic security has been integral part of the mountain ecosystem and rural economy. Despite of their large population, country is facing great trade deficit in products like meat, milk, wool and fibres. Low production is associated with impoverished productive potential of indigenous breed that are reared under abysmally managed subsistence farming. This study has tried to review the existing breeds, breeding system and opportunities within the challenges to enhance production and productivity of small ruminants. The findings revealed that genetic improvement through selection and crossbreeding with enhance feeding and management practices can be powerful tool in increasing production efficiency of the animal. Crossbred of native breed of sheep Baruwal with exotic breed Polworth and Merino and native breed of goat Khari with exotic breed Boer and Jamunapari gave better performance of many production and reproductive traits. The increased productivity of small ruminants will not only be a boon for small holders but will also greatly contribute to the national economy.
Highlights
Agriculture is one of the most indispensable sources of livelihood and income for most Nepalese people
Small ruminants are reared as the source of food, nutrition, and economy that provides both tangible benefits like cash from sale, meat, manure, wool and intangible benefits like insurance against emergencies, cultural and ceremonial purposes (Rege, 1996; Jaitner et al, 2001)
The report indicates crossbred of Baruwal with both Merino and Polworth performs better in many traits compared to local Baruwal and crossbred has better survivability than exotic breed
Summary
Agriculture is one of the most indispensable sources of livelihood and income for most Nepalese people. Nepal produced 2714 Mt. mutton, 67706 Mt. chevon and 594312 Kg of wool and in the same year imported 494755 Kg of meat and 14780815 kg of wool and animal fibre (DLS, 2020) This shows huge gap in the country's small ruminant production and the national demand. With the share of only 35% of the total geographical area, 43.68% of total sheep populations and 11.57% of total goat populations are found only in the mountain region (DLS, 2020). They are reared under either a sedentary or migratory system. There are four major indigenous breeds of sheep namely Bhyanglung, Bharuwal, Kage and Lampuchhre Out of this Bhyanglung and Bharuwal are mostly found in mountain and High hill regions of Nepal. The general objective of this study is to assess the status of small ruminants breeding in mountainous region of Nepal along with their challenges and opportunities
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