SAURASHTRA WOOLS-THEIR PHYSICAL CHARACTERS
                   AND POSSIBILITIES FOR IMPROVEMENT*

By B. B. BUCH and GURUBAX SINGH MAHAL, Government Livestock Farm,
                                                  Hissar

                      (Received for publication on 19 August 1953)

INDIA holds a unique position in the world wool trade for producing a high quality
of carpet wools. For this superior carpet quality of the wools, a fairly large
proportion of the total production in the country, goes in the international trade
which helps in earning a substantial amount of foreign currency every year. During
the year 1952, 18 million pounds of wool is reported to have been exported to the
U. S. A. alone [Anonymous, 1953] out of the total estimated production of 54.33
million pounds annually [Anonymous, 1948].

Although the total production of wool is in excess of the domestic requirements
of the country, India needs to import considerable quantity of fine wools for the
manufacture of clothings every year. This is because the indigenous wools are
only suited for carpet manufacture. To cut short imports and attain self sufficiency
in fine wool, concentrated efforts are necessary for the improvement of sheep types
in the country.

Before definite breeding programme is finalised towards the production of fine
quality wool, it is essential to carry out a proper survey of the existing sheep types
to study the potentialities of suitable breeds for such an improvement.

Of the various types of wools produced in the country, ' Joria ' wool has been
recognised as one of the most popular wools and is reported to being used for the
manufacture of tweeds, woollen pattis, flannels, etc. in the United Kingdom and
blankets, expensive tweeds, single shade clothings, carpets, etc. in the United
States [Anonymous, 1945]. Marketing Department of the Government of India has
classified 'Joria' wool as clothing wool [Anonymous, 1945]. The name 'Joria'
is given for the reason that the major quantity of the wool, from its origin, used to
be exported from the port of the same name. The wool actually is a mixture
of wools coming from different parts of Saurashtra State and adjoining areas of
Gujrat and Rajasthan.

Saurashtra State is the outcome of the amalgamation of several Western India
States into one unit after the achievement of Independence. The total popula-
tion is estimated at 4,000,000 people. This peninsula is formed by the extension
of the Arabian Sea on two sides forming two gulfs—Gulf of Cutch on the north-west
and the Gulf of Cambay on the south-east side. The natural barrier of the sea on
three sides has been responsible for maintaining the purity of sheep and whatever
foreign blood could come has infiltrated from the North Gujrat and Rajasthan

* This paper is based on the Research Problem submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements
for the Post-Graduate Diploma course in Sheep Husbandry and Wool Production at the Government
Livestock Farm, Hissar. The course is run jointly by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research and
the Government of Punjab.

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