Srinagar, Jul 5: The recent disruption in livestock supplies from Punjab, which triggered a mutton shortage and sharp price rise across Kashmir, has exposed a structural weakness in Jammu and Kashmir’s livestock sector—a widening gap between domestic production and consumption.
Although mutton dealers and retailers have called off their strike following the resolution of the Punjab supply issue, the episode underscored the Valley’s heavy reliance on imported livestock to meet local demand.
According to official figures, nearly one-third of Jammu and Kashmir’s annual mutton requirement is met through supplies from outside the Union Territory. J&K produces around 370 lakh kilograms of mutton annually against an estimated demand of 545 lakh kilograms, leaving a deficit of nearly 175 lakh kilograms each year.
The figures were shared by Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo during a recent high-level review meeting on the livestock sector.
The supply gap explains why even brief disruptions in the movement of livestock from neighbouring states have an immediate impact on market availability and retail prices. The recent uncertainty over the transportation of sheep from Punjab, though now resolved following assurances from the Punjab government, once again highlighted the region’s dependence on external supplies.
According to the Sheep Husbandry Department, Jammu and Kashmir has a livestock population of 43.68 lakh sheep and 22.5 lakh goats. Together, these animals have the potential to produce around 370 lakh kilograms of meat and 80 lakh kilograms of wool annually. However, current production remains significantly below market demand.
To bridge the gap, the government is focusing on improving livestock productivity through scientific breeding rather than merely increasing flock size. The department has proposed introducing Embryo Transfer Technology (ETT) and Multiple Ovulation and Embryo Transfer (MOET) to accelerate genetic improvement in sheep breeds.
Under the plan, the government aims to produce 6,000 embryos annually by establishing embryo generation laboratories equipped with cryopreservation facilities. It also plans to set up ETT laboratories in every district and train veterinarians and para-veterinarians to implement the programme.
During the review meeting, the Chief Secretary directed the department to execute these initiatives in mission mode, stating that the dairy and sheep husbandry sectors have significant potential to drive rural economic growth, employment and sustainable livelihoods.
However, experts caution that genetic improvement is a long-term intervention and is unlikely to address the immediate supply deficit. Even with timely implementation, it may take several years before higher productivity translates into increased mutton production.
Until then, they say, Jammu and Kashmir will remain dependent on livestock imports, leaving the market vulnerable to supply disruptions and exposing consumers to periodic price spikes whenever the inflow of animals from outside is affected.
