Wool collection centre in Rajouri to improve vacuum bag handling for Bakerwal sheep breeders

The Jammu and Kashmir government has opened a vacuum bag-based wool collection centre in Rajouri. Officials said it is the first such facility in the district. The centre is expected to improve wool handling and transport. The move aims to support sheep breeders across the border district. Authorities also expect fewer losses from damage during storage and movement.

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Rajouri is among India’s top wool-producing districts. The district produces nearly seven lakh kilograms of wool every year. Yet many breeders, including tribal families, have faced marketing problems for years. Weak infrastructure and missing facilities have limited earnings. In several cases, breeders have sold wool at low rates or discarded it.

Rajouri vacuum bag-based wool collection centre and local challenges

Rajouri Deputy Commissioner Abhishek Sharma linked the new centre to gaps raised by the tribal Bakerwal community. Sharma said the administration discussed these issues with tribal leaders and local residents. Sharma said logistics hurdles blocked stable income from wool. Sharma also noted that poor systems often left breeders with few options beyond distress sales.

Officials carried out field visits last year to understand on-ground barriers. Teams also visited high-altitude pastures during the exercise. The reviews informed the next steps taken by the administration. Work then began under the Strategic Investment Plan and the Holistic Agriculture Development Program. These efforts focused on practical changes for breeders.

Rajouri vacuum bag-based wool collection centre and new support steps

As part of the interventions, authorities distributed shearing machines to breeders. Officials said this reduced manual effort and improved shearing speed. The administration also introduced the vacuum bag-based collection system for the first time. Sharma said the method compresses wool to nearly one-tenth volume. This helps carry more wool per trip.

Officials said the compression method also improves protection during transport and storage. The system can reduce exposure to moisture, physical damage and pests. The administration said it will help address both quality and logistics concerns. Sharma said the wider plan targets better returns for breeders. Authorities expect improved handling to support more organised selling.

Rajouri vacuum bag-based wool collection centre and plans for processing units

Sharma said the administration is pushing farmer producer organisations FPOs to set up wool processing units. The units are planned under government schemes. Sharma said the schemes provide financial help up to Rs 30 lakh. The assistance includes a 50 per cent subsidy. Officials said this could add local value and improve market options.

With the collection centre now operating, officials expect smoother movement of wool from Rajouri. The district’s high output and earlier market barriers shaped the project design. The administration said further steps will depend on field feedback and uptake. Efforts under existing programmes will continue alongside support for FPO-led processing units.

With inputs from PTI