Pashmina Wool Development Scheme

India produces one of the finest Pashmina (Cashmere) wools in the world. Ladakh region of Jammu & Kashmir has more than 2.5 Lakhs of Pashmina goats which contribute to the total Pashmina production in the country. The Central Wool Development Board has been initiating several schemes to increase the production of Pashmina wool and provide standard sustenance to the Pashmina breeders. This article briefs about the components and assistance provided under the Pashmina Wool Development Scheme.

Objective of the Scheme

The total financial assistance of Rs.41.21 Crores has been allotted under the scheme during the XII plan to achieve the following objectives:

• To produce the finest quality of Pashmina wool.
• To offer medical assistance and dietary supplements to the Pashmina goats.
• To multiply the population of Pashmina goats by scattering male and female goats.
• To spread awareness and support on breed improvement, training, health care and nutrition supplements for the qualitative and quantitative production of Pashmina wool in the country.
• To set up multi-purpose extension centres for migrants on migratory paths.
• To conduct Research & Development activities for the enhanced production of Pashmina wool.
• To construct Pasture Farms for Pashmina goats to graze during the extreme winter seasons, especially on migratory paths.
• To enhance the financial status of the Pashmina goat breeders and uphold their interest in their activity as a dependable means of livelihood.
• To strengthen existing breeding farms and develop fodder banks.
• To intensify the current Pashmina Dehairing Plant at Leh.
• To increase the Pashmina population growth rate to 3 Lakhs and Pashmina fiber growth rate to 65 Ton at the end of the 12th Plan.

Components of the Scheme

The Central Wool Development Board has introduced some new components and also slightly modified already existing components to achieve the objectives of the scheme. The components and guidelines are as follows:

Distribution of High-Quality Pashmina Bucks

The total amount of Rs.40 Lakhs has been allotted under the scheme for this component, and the guidelines are as follows:

• The proposal is to purchase 800 high-quality Pashmina bucks with the average cost of Rs.5000 per animal, including the cost of procurement, feed, transportation, insurance and other expenses and carry it to the target areas.
• To achieve a qualitative transformation in the goat population and increase Pashmina production. Thus the animals purchased should be in the age group of one and a half to two and a half years and should weigh more than 30 kgs.
• The bucks should be free from any contagious diseases and deformity.
• The breeder should draw an agreement with the Government/Implementing Agency to hold 30 breedable bucks and to indicate that the bucks will remain as a common property for the first four years. The breeders can own the bucks at the end of the fourth year.
• The board has constituted the livestock purchase committee to survey the potential villages to identify the quality Pashmina bucks and distribute it to the breeders in the non-traditional areas.

Buck exchange Programme

Breeders who are holding decent livestock numbers, generally, graze their livestock separately and include one buck in one flock to increase the inbreeding in the respective flock. The component assists the breeders in overcoming the negative impact of inbreeding and improve the heterogeneity in goat flocks; thus enhancing the production of Pashmina from individual goats. The breeders can exchange the buck under the assistance and consultation of Sheep Husbandry Department of J&K Government. The total aid of Rs.12 Lakhs is allotted under the component, and each breeder gets the assistance of Rs.2000, including the cost of transportation, feed, insurance & labour. Learn about Tamil Nadu Milch Cow Distribution Scheme.

Assistance for Foundation Stock in New Areas for Pashmina Rearing Activities

The intents of the component include:

• Promotion of Pashmina rearing activities in non-traditional areas
• Introduction of goat breeding in new areas of Ladakh Region
• Establishment of mini Pashmina farms by supplying Pashmina goats of 48 females & 2 males under one unit.
• Upgradation of the financial status of Pashmina goat rearers and encourage new farmers to take up this profession.
• The Purchase Committee of State Govt procures the goats. Agency (LAHDC) and supplied to the farmers with the condition to return the total of 50 animals to the State Government Agency at the end of 5 years, for further distribution to another breeder in Ladakh region.

The financial assistance of Rs.2.50 Lakhs per family with the average cost of Rs.5000 per goat, including the cost of transportation, TA/DA of the staff, POL, feed, labour & other expenses are provided to the breeders.

Health Coverage

The component grants the health coverage of Rs.2.0 Lakhs for the Pashmina goats of the region. The breeders can utilise the assistance in procuring necessary Veterinary Medicines, Vaccines, basic equipment such as syringes, needles, hoof cutters, etc., to be used during the time of emergency.

Strengthening of Existing Fodder Banks

The component aims at strengthening the existing farms. In order to overcome the shortage of fodder grass during the winter, three fodder banks are selected under this component to upgrade, develop, strengthen and grow fodder. Grant of Rs.25 Lakhs per farm is allotted by the Sheep Husbandry Department/LAHDC to fence, draw simple irrigation canals, construct storage building and install small machinery for preparing the feed.

Strengthening of Existing Pashmina Goat Breeding Farms

There is a tremendous demand to increase the quantities of Pashmina male goats and this component functions on strengthening the Pashmina goat breeding farms of LAHDC. The financial assistance will augment the capacity of the farms to raise more numbers of better quality bucks for distribution amongst Pashmina goat rearers. To upgrade all three already existing farms, an amount of Rs.25 Lakhs is released for each Pashmina Goat Breeding Farm.

Establishment of Multipurpose Extension Centre (MPEC)

The component targets on building Multipurpose Extension Centres (MPECs) for the Pashmina breeders on migratory routes. These centres will provide basic amenities such as water, fodder, fuel and medicines. These centres serve as a shelter for the breeders during adverse conditions and also modified as training centres. Total assistance of Rs.600 Lakhs is provided under the component to construct and maintain the MPECs.

Establishment of Pasture farms on Migratory routes

The board ensures the establishment of pasture farms with an approximate cost of Rs.267 Lakhs each site. There are 3 sites proposed at a total value of Rs.801 lakhs for the grazing of Pashmina goats on migratory routes by:

• fencing the ground,
• bore well, channelling,
• installation of solar pumps,
• drip/sprinkler irrigation system and
• storage building/necessary agricultural equipment and other general amenities.

Feed Supplement

The component focuses on providing assistance to afford the physiological nutrients to the cattle and help in overcoming the difficulties in their major activities like kidding/lambing mortality and abortions. The component provides supplement nutrients to cattle in the dry, rain-fed areas such as Rajasthan, Gujarat State and harsh winter areas such as Ladakh for 150 days in a year. The financial assistance of Rs.1200 Lakhs is allotted under this component to support 40,000 eligible Pashmina goats for a period of five years.

Assistance for Setting up Pashmina Goat Pens for protecting flocks

The component provides a financial grant of Rs.15,000 to selected Pashmina breeders to set up Pashmina Goat pen using the available materials and reduce the Pashmina lamb fatality.

Assistance for Providing portable Tents, Torch, Gumboots and Goggles

The assistance of Rs.120 Lakhs is alloted under this component for the migrant nomads to purchase folding tents, torch and goggles and other safety materials for their family members and safeguard themselves from the harsh winter during their migration. These items are procured by Sheep Husbandry Department/LAHDC of Government of J&K and are distributed to the concerned Pashmina nomads.

Distribution of Improved Pashmina Combs for Efficient Harvesting of Pashmina

This component provides improved Pashmina Comb free of cost to the nomadic breeders in replacing the outdated wooden comb which is traditionally used to get Pashmina from the Goats. The board provides two Combs to each breeder with the financial aid of Rs.400 Comb. Total assistance of Rs.6.00 Lakhs is allotted to be benefitted under this component.

Training programme/Breeder orientation camp

The component aims to:

• Raise awareness among breeders about Pashmina goat breeding, feeding, health coverage and management.
• Train Pashmina nomads for formation of Breeders Association or village Pashmina Cooperative Societies.
• To train nomadic breeders as Paramedics

Total assistance of Rs.18 Lakhs is allotted under this component to conduct Breeding Orientation training Camps in traditional and non-traditional areas and for the development of Pashmina wool and awareness of its farmers.

Up-gradation of the Existing Pashmina Dehairing Plant at Leh

The component is launched with the target to:

• Enhance the capacity of existing dehairing plant with other facilities.
• Increase returns of the speciality fiber by setting up advanced Fiber testing equipment and laboratories.
• The utilisation of dehairing plant.

Tendering work and installation of machineries is carried out by Wool Research Association, Mumbai.

Research & Development/Consultancy

The component emphasises on setting up of research institutes in the country and to strengthen the activities of rearing, shearing, washing and processing. The activities would be supported through the preparation of documentary films for better marketing and survey of Serological mapping, Rangeland productivity/Pasture biomass and disease controlling. Total of Rs.105 Lakhs is dispensed under this component to carry out the activities.

Implementation of the Project

The Pashmina Wool Development Scheme is implemented in Ladakh/Kargil areas of Jammu & Kashmir, and the procedure for its implementation includes:

• The Central Wool Development Board (CWDB) has constituted an Executive Committee to oversee the progress of the potential projects.
• On submission of the project’s unified proposal by Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), the Executive Committee of CWDB examines and sanctions the project proposal.
• The grants are then released by the board annually for the speedy implementation of the project.