Dorper sheep, a meat breed originally developed in South Africa, are known for their rapid growth and high carcass yield.

The Jammu and Kashmir government’s ambitious initiative to improve local mutton production through the import of high-yield sheep breeds from Australia has entered a crucial phase, with the imported flock established in government farms across the Union Territory.

900 exotic sheep—450 Dorper and 450 Texel—were imported under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP) to strengthen the livestock sector and reduce the region’s dependence on mutton imports from outside Jammu and Kashmir.

The Dorper breed has been stationed in the Jammu division, while the Texel breed has been housed in Kashmir. 

Both breeds are internationally recognised for their superior meat yield, rapid growth and higher productivity compared to traditional sheep varieties.

Dorper sheep, a meat breed originally developed in South Africa, are known for their rapid growth and high carcass yield. Lambs can reach 35-40 kg within four months, while mature animals often exceed 90 kg.

Texel sheep, originating from the Netherlands, are prized for their lean meat and muscular build. Texel lambs can attain weights of 35-40 kg within four to five months, while adult ewes typically weigh 65-75 kg and rams 90-110 kg, making them among the most productive meat breeds globally.

Production boost

“The objective is to improve the genetic potential of local sheep and increase mutton production within Jammu and Kashmir,” said Javid Ahmad Dar, J & K’s Agriculture Production minister. 

He added that the programme is expected to benefit local farmers through scientific breeding and the gradual distribution of improved genetic stock.

The sheep were imported under a major livestock development component of HADP, which seeks to modernise the sheep husbandry sector, enhance farmer incomes and strengthen the rural economy.

The imported breeds will be used for cross-breeding with local sheep populations to develop offspring with better growth rates, higher meat yield and improved adaptability. 

“The initiative forms part of the government’s broader strategy to achieve self-reliance in mutton production”, Dar said.

Narrowing the gap 

Jammu and Kashmir currently faces a significant gap between local production and consumption, with a substantial portion of annual mutton demand being met through imports from other states.

The region produces around 30,000 to 37,000 tonnes of mutton annually, compared to yearly consumption of 55,000 to 60,000 tonnes. 

Authorities believe the introduction of Dorper and Texel genetics will help narrow this gap over the coming years.

Published on June 16, 2026