Jammu and Kashmir is taking embryo-transfer technology directly to sheep farmers, with pure-line Texel and Australian Merino lambs already born in farmers’ flocks as the government seeks to accelerate genetic improvement and reduce reliance on conventional breeding.

The Sheep Husbandry Department, Kashmir has been providing the technology free of cost to progressive farmers since October 2025, through its Embryo Transfer Technology (ETT) laboratory at Zakura, according to Dr Suhail Nabi Magray, in-charge of the laboratory.

“Scores” of progressive farmers have availed themselves of the technology, Magray said, adding that pure-line Texel and Australian Merino lambs had been born in farmer flocks through embryo transfer.

The initiative marks a shift from a breeding model centred largely on elite rams, which farmers traditionally used to improve the genetic quality of their flocks.

“Prior to introduction of ETT technology, farmer breed improvement programmes would centre around introduction of elite breeding rams [Male] into the farmer flocks,” Magray said.

That approach had limitations including poor control over breeding, incomplete breeding coverage because of limited availability of elite rams, longer generation intervals, underuse of female genetics and additional rearing costs for farmers, he said.

ETT allows embryos carrying selected genetics to be transferred to recipient animals, enabling superior genetic material to be multiplied more rapidly.

“ETT technology not only multiplies elite germplasm at a faster rate but also improves selection intensity for accelerated genetic improvement, with proper control over breeding,” Magray said.

He said genetic gains through ETT could be achieved five to six times faster than through conventional breeding, giving the technology a role in cross-breeding programmes and faster genetic gains.

The move comes as J&K’s sheep-breeding priorities shift from an earlier emphasis on wool towards breeds suited to meat production.

Earlier imports and breeding programmes focused largely on wool breeds such as Merino and Corriedale, when global wool demand was stronger, Magray said. Kashmir Merino became widely propagated locally, but lagged in traits including fecundity, growth rate and dressing percentage, he said.

At the same time, demand for mutton has risen internationally, nationally and locally, driven by changing consumption patterns, health considerations and the cultural and culinary importance of sheep meat, Magray said.

Under the government’s HADP Project 24, J&K has introduced mutton breeds including Texel, Dorper, Romanov and Finn.

J&K has an estimated 43.68 lakh sheep, while the goat population is around 22.5 lakh, according to Agriculture Production Department data. Only about half of the sheep and goat population is estimated to be breedable.

Annual mutton production is around 370 lakh kg, while wool production exceeds 80 lakh kg, highlighting the economic importance of the livestock sector.

Magray said genetics was a cornerstone of productivity, with output depending on the interaction between genetics and environmental factors such as nutrition, disease control and flock management.

While environmental conditions can be improved locally, genetic improvement requires access to new genetic material, he said. Conventional selective breeding is slower and constrained by limited genetic variation, whereas exotic genetics combined with assisted reproductive technologies can accelerate genetic transformation.

ETT could also help J&K preserve and transport valuable genetic material without moving live animals.

Embryos and semen can be cryopreserved for conservation, trade and movement of genetics, Magray said, reducing risks associated with transporting live animals and potentially introducing exotic diseases.

J&K has imported elite sheep and goat breeds from countries including Australia, the US, New Zealand, Switzerland, South Africa and Finland over several decades. The department says inadequate structured preservation contributed to dilution of pure lines over time.

Agriculture Minister Javid Ahmad Dar said the government was establishing a network for embryo-based multiplication and preservation of elite sheep germplasm.

“The J&K ETT Program will be the first programme in the country, establishing a network for advanced embryo-based multiplication, preservation and dissemination of elite sheep germplasm,” Dar said.

The programme has a proposed cost of ₹63.14 crore over three years and envisages 20 district ETT laboratories in phases.

“Unlike conventional breeding, Embryo Transfer Technology enables the rapid multiplication of superior genetics from elite donor animals, while also achieving higher reproductive rates and faster genetic improvement within a shorter timeframe, with valuable pure lines being scientifically preserved,” Dar said.

He said the mission was aimed at creating a self-sustaining source of elite breeding stock, reducing dependence on imports and improving mutton and wool productivity.

Published on September 21, 2026