Rajouri: The Jammu and Kashmir government has set up a first-of-its-kind vacuum bag-based wool collection centre in Rajouri, a move expected to streamline wool handling and significantly benefit sheep breeders across the border district.
Rajouri is among the highest wool-producing districts in the country, with nearly seven lakh kilograms of wool produced annually, but the tribal population has long struggled to market their produce due to inadequate infrastructure and lack of proper facilities.
Rajouri Deputy Commissioner Abhishek Sharma said the setting up of the first such centre is part of the effort to address long-standing challenges faced by the tribal Bakerwal community associated with the sector.
Referring to his interactions with tribal leaders and local communities, he said the lack of infrastructure and logistical constraints have prevented breeders from turning wool into a reliable source of income, often forcing them to sell at low prices or even burn the produce.
To tackle these issues, he said authorities conducted field visits last year, including to high-altitude pastures, to assess ground challenges. Based on the findings, interventions have been initiated under the Strategic Investment Plan and Holistic Agriculture Development Program, including the distribution of shearing machines to improve efficiency and reduce manual effort.
To address quality and logistics concerns, the vacuum bag-based wool collection system has been introduced for the first time in the district, he said, adding that the technology helps compress wool to nearly one-tenth of its volume, enabling transport of larger quantities while protecting it from moisture, damage and pests.
Sharma said efforts are also underway to encourage farmer producer organisations (FPOs) to set up wool processing units under the government schemes, which offer financial assistance of up to Rs 30 lakh with 50 per cent subsidy.
