CWDB And ICAR Host Chintan Shivir On Future Of India’s Wool Sector In Avikanagar
The Central Wool Development Board (CWDB), Ministry of Textiles, in collaboration with ICAR–Central Sheep and Wool Research Institute (CSWRI), organised a one-day “Chintan Shivir on Challenges, Opportunities and Future Prospects of the Indian Wool Sector” today in Avikanagar. The event was presided over by Smt. Neelam Shami Rao, Secretary (Textiles), as Chief Guest, while Smt. Padmini Singla, Joint Secretary (Textiles), attended as Guest of Honour.
The Shivir brought together a wide spectrum of participants from Government of India departments, state government representatives from Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Ladakh, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Punjab, as well as officials from the Textile Committee, research institutions, academic bodies, industry players, start-ups and non-governmental organisations linked to the wool value chain.
Four technical sessions anchored the day’s proceedings, during which expert panels addressed critical themes such as sheep rearing, wool production, pre-processing (collection, grading and scouring), research and development, sustainability, value addition, Common Facility Centres (CFCs), value chain integration, and marketing and branding of wool and woollen products. Discussions focused on current sectoral challenges, emerging opportunities, and actionable strategies for development.
In her concluding remarks, Secretary (Textiles) Smt. Neelam Shami Rao summarised key recommendations and emphasised the need for research and development to be aligned with the economic realities of wool production and processing. She stressed the importance of building collectives in the wool sector and encouraging public-private efforts to boost growth.
Smt. Padmini Singla, Joint Secretary (Textiles), in her keynote address, underlined the need to treat wool production, processing, product development and promotion as an integrated value chain. She highlighted the importance of holistic, end-to-end analysis and strategic interventions to improve competitiveness and sustainability across the sector.
Addressing region-specific concerns, Shri Rudra Gaur, Secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry, Leh–Ladakh, spotlighted the distinctive challenges faced in Ladakh. He advocated treating wool at par with other agricultural commodities and called for a dedicated institutional mechanism focused exclusively on wool sector development.
Key outcomes of the Chintan Shivir included recommendations on strengthening the full wool ecosystem from pre-processing activities such as collection, grading and scouring, to establishing a Centre of Excellence for branding, creation of economically viable CFCs, branding of Indian wool and wool products, and enhancing research and development initiatives.
Earlier, Dr. Arun Kumar Tomar, Director, ICAR-CSWRI, welcomed the dignitaries and presented wool products developed by the institute. He briefed guests on the institute’s R&D activities in wool production and advanced woollen technologies. Shri Gopal Singh Bhati, Executive Director, CWDB, outlined the objectives of the Shivir and highlighted ongoing initiatives aimed at improving the welfare and livelihoods of sheep farmers across the country.
A technology exhibition was also held on the sidelines of the Shivir, showcasing various sheep and rabbit breeds, apparel-grade wool products, technical textiles derived from coarse wool, and innovations by research organisations and start-ups. Dignitaries visited the exhibition, textile unit and agribusiness incubation centre at ICAR-CSWRI during the event.
