According to Livestock Census 2003, there are about 61.47 million sheep and 124.36 million goats in the country. About five million households in the country are engaged in the rearing of small ruminants (sheep, goats and rabbits) and other allied activities. The production of wool was 44.50 million kg during 2004-05. The expected wool production during 2005-06 stands at 50.0 million kg.

The Central Sheep Breeding Farm, Hissar is producing acclimatised exotic/cross bred superior quality rams. The farm has supplied 1370 rams and 50 Rambouillet ewes during 2004-05 to different states. During 2005-06, the farm has supplied 854 rams and 30 crossbred ewes. The target for net production and sale of rams has been kept at 900.

• Conservation of Threatened Breeds

Population of some of the pure-bred small ruminants, equines, pigs and pack animals has come down considerably and such breeds have come to the category of threatened breeds in the country. The farms or the farmers unit in their respective breeding tract are to be established with cent per cent Central assistance for breeds of these animals wherein their population is less than 10,000 with active participation of State Governments and NGOs, etc.

A new Centrally Sponsored Scheme for conservation of such threatened breeds has been started during Tenth Five-Year plan with a budget outlay of Rs 1500 lakh. During 2005-06, an amount of Rs 406.92 lakh has been released for conservation of Terrasa Goat (Rs 20.00 lakh) in Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Bhutia Pony (Rs 44.39 lakh) in Arunachal Pradesh, Yak (Rs 13.00 lakh) in Himachal Pradesh, Zanskari Horse (Rs 29.96 lakh) and Double Humped Camel (Rs 29.85) in Jammu & Kashmir, Madgyal Sheep (Rs 64.50 lakh) in Maharashtra, Jamunapari Goat (Rs 59.87 lakh) in Uttar Pradesh, Gray Sindhi Horse (Rs 19.70 lakh) in Punjab, and Ghoongro pig (Rs 31.15 lakh) Bonpala Sheep (Rs 30.00 lakh) and Garole Sheep (Rs 32.25 lakh) & Black Bengal Goat (Rs 32.25 lakh) in West Bengal. There is a budget provision of Rs 400 lakh under the scheme during 2006-07.

• Meat Production/Processing and Export
  
  A Centrally Sponsored Scheme ‘‘Assistance to States for modernisation/ improvement of abattoirs and establishment of carcass utilisation centres and primary hide flaying units’’ was implemented. The objectives of the scheme were to provide wholesome and hygienic meat, gainful utilisation of animal by-products, prevention of environmental pollution and cruelty to animals. Under the scheme, financial assistance of Rs. 14.15 crore was provided for incomplete projects to States of Arunachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Nagaland, Kerala, Tripura and Union Territory of Chandigarh during 2004-05. The scheme has now been discontinued as per Zero Based Budgeting (ZBB) decision.