The Kheri Sheep, an indigenous sheep breed from Rajasthan, has recently gained attention for its remarkable resilience and high-quality carpet wool. Officially recognized and registered as a new sheep breed on January 6, 2025, at NASC in New Delhi, the Kheri Sheep is well-distributed across several districts in Rajasthan. This breed thrives in the region's challenging environment, making it a symbol of endurance. It is particularly noted for its tall stature and majestic appearance, distinguishing it from other sheep breeds.
High-Quality Carpet Wool
One of the defining features of the Kheri Sheep Breed is its high-quality carpet wool, which is in demand in the textile industry. Known for its softness and durability, the wool from this breed is ideal for producing carpets, adding an important economic dimension to sheep farming in Rajasthan. The wool’s quality makes Kheri Sheep a valuable asset to farmers involved in the wool trade, providing them with a steady source of income.
Exceptional Adaptability and Migration Ability
The Kheri Sheep is not only prized for its wool but also for its exceptional migration abilities. This breed can cover long distances with ease, making it ideal for nomadic and semi-nomadic pastoral systems. In Rajasthan's arid and often harsh environment, where feed and water can be scarce, this migration ability ensures that the breed can continue to thrive. The Kheri Sheep’s adaptability to extreme temperatures and its capacity to endure feed scarcity further enhance its resilience, making it well-suited to Rajasthan's resource-constrained areas.
A Reflection of Traditional Breeding Practices
The Kheri Sheep is also distinguished by its historical and cultural significance. It is believed to have originated through crossbreeding with the Marwari sheep, a breed known for its hardiness. Over 200 years, sheep farmers and herders in Rajasthan perfected breeding practices to ensure the survival of sheep in the challenging Thar Desert environment. These breeding traditions contributed to the Kheri Sheep’s exceptional resilience and hardiness, making it a valuable part of the region’s pastoral systems.
With its high-quality wool, resilience in harsh climates and impressive migration ability, the Kheri Sheep represents a significant step forward in preserving India's agricultural heritage while fostering sustainable development. The breed not only adds to the genetic diversity of livestock in India but also contributes to the livelihoods of farmers and herders in Rajasthan, ensuring the survival of traditional pastoral practices in the modern age.
