Breeding Kashmir’s own Merinos for quality meat and wool

Born in a family of farmers in Chandarhama village of Baramulla district, Hilal Ahmad Yatoo is considered best example of hard work and dedication not only in his village but in the whole Pattan tehsil.

Hilal is the distinct sheep breeder, who is engaged withsheep farming from last many years and is the household the name for providingquality breeds to hundreds of sheep farmers in the whole area.

   

“I am the animal lover and when your passion becomesprofession it makes your work lot easier and gives you umpteen satisfactions. Iam attached to this profession since my childhood. Initially, I was attached topoultry farming but left it midway just to focus on my passion, which is sheeprearing and breeding,” says Hilal Ahmad

Hilal’s passion for quality sheep can be reflected from hissheep barn, which is built with the latest design and techniques. The barnwhere he keeps his sheep is totally different from the average barn in Kashmir.From feeding to soiling everything is managed in a professional manner withclear hygiene.

“I am grazing the quality sheep and taking the care fortheir proper hygiene is my duty, because they are my bread and butter. I cannever keep my sheep in unhygienic conditions, it hurts me internally. Whensomeone is feeding you, you have to feed them back,” says Hilal.

Hilal grazes quality sheep germplasm of Kashmir Merino andhas to keep intense care of his ewes when they are at breeding stage and thensells them to the other farmers so that the breed keeps extending continuously.Kashmir Merino is a cross breed of sheep from indigenous Kashmir sheep andAustralian Merino.

“Butchers prefer this sheep because of its quality of meatand taste and sheep farmers have also instruction from Agriculture Universityto remain more focused towards Kashmir Merino. They are also able to give birthto twins and develop mixed ration formulation for the sheep for better lambweight. Even people from SKUAST-K prefer to purchase ram from me because of itstop quality breed. We have bulk of customers throughout Kashmir from bothsouth, central and northern Kashmir,” says Hilal.

Hilal started his journey like a common Kashmir farmer withthe help of his younger brother Showkat, who is also fond of the sheep and ananimal lover. Initially he had to face lot of difficulties but with everypassing day every difficulty faded away due to his will.

“Initially we used to search everywhere and wherever wefound quality ewe and ram we used to purchase them from our pocket money.Presently we have almost hundred top quality sheep available with us and we arealmost earning Rs 7 lakh to Rs 8 lakhs a year and are providing employment tofour people of the village. Rearing expenses for a sheep are about Rs 3000annually and one needs to really work tirelessly for two months of winters. Forrest of the year it is comparatively easy,” says Hilal.

Apart from sheep rearing, Hilal is also involved in fruitbusiness where he earns handsomely and was recently awarded IARI INNOVATIVEFarmer award by ICAR- Indian Agriculture Research Institute, New Delhi for hiscontribution to the sheep yearning activities and cultivation of paddy, maizeand oats on the recommendation of SKUAST.

“It was on 7th of March I won this award. I think I got thisaward for the hard work and dedication I put in my work because for a singletreatment or minor injury to my sheep, I consult top doctors because when yougive due care, it ultimately pays you back. This award means a lot for me. Inwhole Kashmir I was the only one, who won this award. This award gave a kind ofidentity to me, my work and to my village not only in district Baramulla but inwhole Kashmir,” mutters Hilal with a belief

Besides rearing sheep, cows, goats and hens, Hilal is alsohaving pigeons that gives the glimpse of perfect animal lover and is planningto add rabbits to the list to give proper shape to his passion into profession

“Pigeons are also a source of income. I will try to add upmore in future. One should not shy away from doing things that he likes. Mysuggestion to young generation is: don’t wait for opportunities just createopportunities and then avail benefit from them. If anyone is falling short offunds for doing something, one should take benefit of government schemes likethe ones available through JKEDI,” he concluded     

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