Sheep rearing has sharply declined over the years due to climate change, outmigration, and shift in livestock practices

YK Poudel

The age-old tradition of sheep rearing is declining in the country, thanks to impacts of climate change, outmigration, and lack of economic viability of sheep farming. 

To counter this decline, investments in improved breeds and a more profitable sheep industry are becoming crucial. As part of this, Bhutan recently imported 400 doses of ram semen from Mongolia with the aim of enhancing sheep breeds in the country.

Currently, sheep farming is practiced across 11 dzongkhags and one government farm.

According to livestock statistics, the country’s sheep population has plummeted from 39,235 in 1987 to just 9,411 in 2023. Last year alone, around 957 sheep were killed, primarily due to wildlife predation.

The Department of Livestock (DoL) manages the National Sheep Farm at Dechenpeltrithang in Bumthang as the nodal farm to promote sheep development and preserve the vulnerable local sheep types.

The farm rears one exotic sheep breed (Comeback) and four indigenous varieties –  Sakteng, Jakar, Sipsoo and Sarpang breeds.

Sakteng type has finer quality wool among the indigenous breeds – found mostly in the eastern part of the country, especially Merak and Sakteng in Trashigang. Jakar breed is found in temperate areas of central Bhutan particularly in Wangdue, Trongsa and Bumthang. The Sipsoo and Sarpang breeds, found in sub-tropical areas share similar traits and are found in Chhukha, Tsirang, Dagana and Sarpang.

Established in 1974 as the National Sheep and Yak Development Project, the farm started with 1,500 sheep. Today, it has 337 sheep, including 165 rams, 144 ewes, and 28 lambs, managed by a team of 21 staff members.

Farm Manager Sonam Jamtsho said that all the indigenous breeds are vulnerable, particularly the Jakar type, which is now in critically low numbers. “These native sheep breeds are genetically distinct from other local and regional breeds in terms of body size, wool quality, and meat, and offer opportunities for developing indigenous sheep industry through selective breeding,” he said.

The DoL plans to ensure long-term conservation and use of the diverse genetic resources through improvement in the production of quality and quantity of wool, benefitting the farmers as well.

The National Sheep Farm has conducted 114 capacity-building trainings for sheep-rearing communities, covering husbandry, wool shearing, and animal welfare practices.

There are 19 livestock extension agents across various dzongkhags and 12 staff at National Sheep Farm who have been trained on sheep husbandry, health and management.

In addition, equipment such as sheep shearing slippers, shearing scissors and fodder chaff cutters have been provided to various sheep-rearing households. The farm has also distributed 840 sheep to various farmers. 

Sonam Jamtsho said that support from organisations such as RENEW and UNDP Bhutan has been instrumental in safeguarding vulnerable breeds and making sheep farming more viable.

The farm has cryo-preserved 1,350 doses of native sheep semen to aid in breed conservation.

The farm faces several challenges including staff shortages, pest control issues, and a need for enhanced bio-security. “Improved human capacity and farm resources are essential for reviving Bhutan’s sheep-rearing culture,” Sonam Jamtsho said.

To address these challenges, strategies and a Sheep Breeding Guideline have been developed, including plans for introducing artificial insemination technology for the first time in the country.

As per data from last year, Samtse and Trashigang lead in sheep population. The country produced 5.69 metric tonnes (MT) of wool last year, a significant drop from 11.6 MT in 2022.

Regional and global trends indicate that sheep farming is increasingly under pressure from climate change, inadequate investment, and rising disease rates among sheep.

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