Research institute for large-scale breeding of sheep

: A senior scientist of the Central Sheep and Research Institute at Mannavnur near Kodaikanal in this district has sought upgradation of laboratory facilities and latest equipment for large-scale breeding of Bharat Merino sheep, whose wool is used for making jackets and overcoats.
A S Rajendiran told PTI that it was necessary to maintain the grazing area of the sheep as the institute planned to take up major research work for increasing the population of Bharat Merino and Avikalin variety (wool used for making carpets) sheep.
"We want to do large-scale breeding of sheep ..And also improve tourist attraction.. If the government helped improve the infrastructure facility at the institute, it will reflect in the sheep breeding, and all the states across the country would be benefitted," he said.

"If we are able to produce more male sheep,the population of Bharat Merino and Avikalin sheep would automatically go up across the country," he said.
The Institute now has 82 Avikalin sheep and they planned to bring 300 more such sheep from Rajasthan.
Besides 500 Bharat Merino sheep were being reared at the Institute. This variety is a cross breed of indigenous Chokla and Nali sheep with Rambourillet and Merino Rams, he said.

The male sheep yields four kg of fur while the female sheep three kg, he said.
The Institute had approached textile mills to make woollen items like shawls locally in the state and was willing to help self-help groups if sufficient funds were made available to them for marketing the woollen yarn, he said.

Referring to breeding of giant rabbits, he said it has come to a halt following a government ban on the activity some years ago.
"Now there are about 100 giant size rabbits at the institute."
Highlighting the problems facing the institute, he said the lab was facing frequent power cuts without a proper Transformer close to it. In fact there was not even central government auditing of the laboratory since 1997, he alleged.
Besides, he claimed, the institute, a major tourist attraction where woollen products are exhibited, lacked even basic parking facilities.