Maharashtra government has introduced the scheme named “Ahilyabai Holkar Sheep and Goat Development Scheme”.
For each of the state’s 13 districts, 200 sheep and 400 goat units (10+1) will be established in three years. 75 sheep and 125 goat units were established each year in 2014–15 and 2015–16. It is suggested that 50 sheep and 150 goat units be established for the 2016–17 academic year.
For assimilation of complete data and information of each farmer in a software/database, biometric registration of around 5000 sheep and goat farmers along migratory routes in the state is suggested.
Etablishing multipurpose camps in all 95 blocks of the state. In the academic year 2014–15, each block has two camps. For the academic year 2015–16, there were four camps every block. For the 2016–17 academic year, four camps per block have been suggested.
Farmer exposure visits: In the 2014–15 academic year, 60 farmers from all over the state were taken on exposure visits to some of the most renowned national institutes for the study of sheep and goats, including the Central Sheep and Wool Research Institute (CSWRI) in Avikanagar and the Central Sheep Breeding Farm (CSBF) in Hissar. 70 sheep and goat farmers were brought to the Central Institute for Research on Goats (CIRG) Makhdoom, Mathura, CSWRI, and CSBF for the 2015–16 academic year. For the 2016–17 academic year, 70 sheep and goat producers have been suggested for exposure visits.
Training and Skill Development – USWDB intends to impart new techniques for sheep and goat husbandry to the state’s progressive farmers. 98 sheep and goat farmers benefited from a one-day training and skill-development workshop that was held at Pashulok Rishikesh in 2014–15 as part of this project. Farmers from the Kumaon region received comparable training at the Bhainswara Training Center in Almora. 90 sheep and goat farmers participated in a one-day training and skill-development programme at Pashulok Rishikesh in the 2015–16 academic year. Additionally, trainings were held in the state’s Tehri Garhwal, Chamoli, and Champawat districts. Similar trainings are expected to be held in 2016–17.
To assist them in the challenging climatic conditions during the migration of their animals, additional facilities like tents and mattresses were also given to the migrating sheep and goat farmers. 440 tents and 1760 mattresses were given to farmers in the 2014–15 fiscal year. The shepherds were given 948 beds and 474 tents in the 2015–16 fiscal year. In the 2016–17 academic year, USWDB suggests distributing 500 tents and 1000 mattresses.
