[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]COORDINATED PROGRAMME FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF ANGORA WOOL SECTOR
(Coordinated Programme for the Development of Angora Wool Sector to Enhance Income and Employment Generation Opportunities in Tribal Areas of Five Districts of Uttarakhand through Partner NGOs)
BACKGROUND OF THE PROJECT
Angora rabbit breeding started in late 1990s in the mountain region of Uttarakhand and presently there are about 800 viable small-scale units growing properly in the State of Uttarakhand. The average wool production per animal varies annually between 600 to 800 gms. Because of lack of suitable germplasm, supporting processing and marketing facilities for angora wool, the progress has been slow or rather stranded over the years. In spite of sincere efforts made by the Non-Governmental Development Agencies, Government Departments and Research Institutions, the angora rabbit breeder lacks technical know-how pertaining to management, rearing, shearing, processing and marketing of this new kind of costly fibre. The dependency on woolen mills for sale of raw wool has made it difficult for the producer to show any progress in terms of multiplication to higher numbers as well as to introduce new germplasm to boost the angora wool production and its quality. However, a very small amount of wool is being processed under the rural set up by traditional hand spinning methods or by modifying the existing tools, the quality of yarn and the product does not fetch the desired returns. The available germplasm on the Research Institutes, Agriculture Universities, Non Government Organizations as well as the farmer’s level has poor production potential. It is highly inbred and has low variability to exploit. Hence, it seems difficult to improve the present production level unless high yielding angora breeding farms with different lines are introduced for upgrading of breeds.
In view of the topographic location of the present angora rabbit units, the expert opinion is for setting up of germplasm resource centre in hills of Uttarakhand to meet the requirement of breeding stock and improving the existing flocks through upgrading. Advice is for to create centres for training and assistance in processing and marketing of angora wool after blending it with other fibres like silk and sheep wool. A concentrated effort is required by the authorities to develop procurement and marketing facilities of raw angora wool to ensure returns to the angora rabbit breeders. Hifeed has demonstrated some blended products of angora fibre with sheep wool and silk. Provision of necessary inputs and technical know-how combined with regular monitoring is another aspect to be seriously considered for introducing angora rabbit breeding and rearing as successful income generating enterprise along with other existing animal husbandry practices in hill area of Uttarakhand. Proper record management, ear tagging of animals, awareness about importance of selection based on qualitative and quantitative traits needs to be introduced to give a forward thrust to this industry in this region.
In view of the existing status of angora rabbit breeding and rearing, processing and marketing conditions in the State, it would be fruitful to incorporate the concept of processing about 75% of the angora wool produced in every household in to yarn and finished products and thereby reducing the dependency on fluctuating market of raw angora wool and also to boost the returns through sale of finished products and angora blended yarns. The handlooms and handicrafts sector and the cottage industry, which is an integral part of every household in this region, can play a very important role in this aspect. This will not only ensure higher returns but also generate substantial employment opportunities for the unemployed population, especially rural women in their respective areas.
Improvement in agriculture and animal husbandry will take a long time, but for the immediate return, the Hifeed has planned to initiate the Integrated Angora Rabbit Wool Development Programme in large scale for production and marketing of angora wool, yarn and handmade angora woolen products to generate employment and raise family income, keeping young men and women in their native villages. It has started some action also in this direction. Rearing of angora rabbits needs less space, time and money and any of the family members with minimum experience and training can manage it. The Hifeed has decided to involve largely the families headed by women and educated unemployed youths, as the women are habituated in animal husbandry, sole responsible for the family and the youths are hunting for jobs.
OBJECTIVES OF THE PROJECT
• To introduce angora rabbit rearing as an viable income supplementing activity in mountain tribal families of Uttarakhand.
• To organize training programs in the field of angora rabbit breeding, rearing, shearing, feeding, management, wool production and processing.
• To establish 390 angora rabbit units, 390 spinning and 390 weaving units at farmer household level with the support of partner NGOs in hilly and tribal areas of five Districts of Uttarakhand.
• To develop rabbit feed based on locally available raw material.
• To provide buy-back facility for angora wool, yarn and end products.
• To monitor the coordinated angora programme implemented by the partner NGOs.
COMPONENTS OF THE PROJECT
• Strengthening of high yielding angora rabbit germplasm resource centre at Hifeed Campus, Ranichauri.
• Training and extension programme for NGOs and farmers to make the programme economically viable with applicable technical inputs.
• Introducing the concept of scientific and planned rearing and record management in the field of angora rabbit production.
• Developing new and improved packages of practices in the field of breeding, feeding, disease control, treatment, management etc.
• Establishment of common production and processing centre for spinning, weaving and processing of angora wool in to yarn and handmade finished products at NGOs or community level.
• Skill upgradation of producers and artisans by providing technical inputs.
• Developing the techniques of cheaper housing and cage making by bamboo and other cost effective substitutes.
• Developing techniques of manure/compost management.
TARGET AREA AND TARGET GROUPS OF THE PROJECT
The target area of the project is five districts of Uttarakhand i.e. Tehri Garhwal, Uttarkashi, Chamoli, Dehradun and Pithoragarh. Low income group and Tribal families are the target groups of the project.
FUNDING AGENCY
The project is funded by Department of Science & Technology (DST), Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India, New Delhi.
COST OF THE PROJECT
The project is sanctioned by DST during the year 2009. Total cost of the project sanctioned by DST for three years is Rs. 20,75,000.00
To implement the Angora Wool Development Project in five Districts of Uttarakhand, a total amount of Rs. 2,19,55,500.00 was also sanctioned by DST to 13 project partners and Coordinating agency HIFEED for three years.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_gallery type=”image_grid” images=”737,736,735,734,733,732,731,730,729″ img_size=”medium”][/vc_column][/vc_row]