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Quality wool
production
 Although
there is a strong need in Pakistan for wool and mutton
development, no serious efforts have so far been made in this
regard because of resource constraints. The province of Sindh
possesses 16 per cent of sheep population in the country which
are kept mainly for their meat.
Sheep generally breed once annually with total 80 per cent
fertility. Mortality in lamb ranges between 10 to 15 per cent
according to climate and it ranges between 5 to 10 per cent
annually. It is the only animal which serves multiple purposes
suitable in deserts and hilly areas where other animals fail
to thrive, mainly due to lesser water and fodder availability.
It is estimated that mutton and wool losses due to mortality
is approximately 10 per cent whereas production losses due to
improper feeding and parasitic diseases (both ecto and endo-parasitic)
is not less than 30 per cent.
The losses of wool are estimated up to 20 per cent due to
faulty shearing as about 1/4 wool is left over body of sheep.
The quality of skin is also lowered due to the fact that many
cuts are left over the skin due to improper shearing.
It is estimated that sheep have increased in numbers by more
than 41 per cent during the period from 1986 to 1996. However,
profitability has not increased due to lack of knowledge of
breeding, management, nutrition, disease control measures,
drenching against endo-parasitic and dipping against ecto-
parasitic diseases.
The district Tharparkar is richest in sheep population, which
possesses 40 per cent of the province's sheep population and
is most suitable for sheep and wool development. Other such
areas in the province are those of Nara area of Khairpur and
Kohistan of Dadu.
The Kooka, Kachhi and Pak-Awasi breeds in Sindh are the most
promising for wool production. These are medium-sized, but
Kachhi can produce some milk as well. Fleece of more than 2.0
kg per annum can be obtained from them. The Kachhi and Pak-Awasi
have good staple length of more than 7.0 cm. Pak-Awasi and
Kooka have more than 60 per cent true wool fibres. More than
one lambing per year can be obtained from these breeds through
good management practices.
The most fatal enzootic disease is Anthrax which is caused by
a bacillus. It is contracted through water, food excretions or
through a wound infection. The disease has very low incubation
period of 1-3 days and its first sign is sudden death or very
high fever.
The wool development centres once established at taluka/ union
council level, can serve training places for wool development
where owners in the areas be registered and provided technical
assistance and veterinary extension services. These services
can be provided through trained leader or an NGO in the
village. Pedigreed rams be also provided to farmers to improve
the breeding.
In Sindh the present population is about 23.5 million sheep
from which 6.12 million kg wool is obtained. It can be doubled
by providing modern techniques such as:
1. Control of ectoparasites;
2. Shearing
with modern electric machines;
3. Keeping
quality wool separate from lower parts wool;
4. Storing
and protecting wool from parasites;
6. Selling wool at
a time when it fetches the highest price.
Dr Baz Muhammad Junejo
courtesy Daily Dawn ,
29 April, 2002
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