The Black Sheep Story
The North Karnataka region has single crop rain fed agriculture along with Sheep Husbandry as a primary source of sustenance and livelihood.
Karanataka has 7.25 million sheep, where the Wool production is around 6421 tons, ranking second after Rajasthan in India.
Over the years the Kurba and Gollar Shepherding communities (about 40% of the population) have evolved a complex agro-pastoral system to survive. There are around 25000 weavers and 50000 spinners in the region out of which only ten percent are engaged on a regular basis.
The Shepherding economy of the region is under threat due to spread of exotic diseases and recurring epidemics. There has been rapid decline of grazing areas, water bodies and the area has seen a drastic change in the cropping patterns.
The economy has been severely effected due to in-efficient market mechanisms,and lack of credit/insurance facilities as well as absence of active rearers organization.
Shramik Abhivrudi Sangh over the last two decades has initiated awareness and organizational building among the Shepherding communities. It was realized that the introduction of exotic breeds as well as non-wool breeds were causing disease epidemics.
Recent Updates
- Please take a look at our new Shramik kala catalogue here
