Livestock-Based Livelihoods project (LBL)
The Snapshot

Reviving Traditional Wealth, Creating Rural Prosperity​

For centuries, livestock has been a pillar of rural life in Jammu & Kashmir. The region’s mountain pastures, temperate climate, and pastoral traditions among communities such as the Gujjars and Bakerwals make sheep rearing one of the most natural and promising livelihoods.

Today, Prof. Bashir Foundation (PBF) works to strengthen this traditional sector through its Livestock-Based Livelihoods Program, helping rural youth and marginalized individuals become independent livestock farmers.

Why Sheep Farming Matters in J&K

The livestock sector is one of the strongest rural economic pillars in the region:

Jammu & Kashmir has over 4.3 million sheep and more than 2 million goats.

The region produces nearly 8 million kilograms of wool annually, supporting thousands of rural families.

More than 200,000 people depend directly on sheep farming for their livelihoods.

Yet demand for mutton far exceeds supply, leading to large-scale import of sheep from other states every year.

This gap represents a powerful opportunity for employment, entrepreneurship, and rural economic growth.

Our Two-Tier Livelihood Model

A. Livestock Micro-Finance Support

PBF provides small livelihood loans that enable aspiring farmers to purchase sheep for breeding and farming. These loans help people who lack access to formal credit systems start their own livestock ventures in association with the existing established farmers. The PBF has worked out a system in corroboration with RAHAM Community Services, an organization that specializes in sheep & animal husbandry, deploying knowledge, expertise and skills from their end into the PBF livlihoods project. . 

B. Apprenticeship-Based Livestock Training

In addition to financial support and initiation into farming, PBF ensures that participants also receive hands-on training.

Selected candidates are attached to experienced livestock farmers, who:

• host apprentices within their farm facilities

• train them in breeding, feeding, and animal care

• guide them in pasture management and livestock economics

During apprenticeship, participants gain practical expertise that eventually allows them to establish their own independent livestock farms.

Through this model, PBF blends traditional pastoral knowledge with modern livestock management practices, strengthening the rural economy.

C. Sponsorship Opportunities

Supporters can directly contribute to rural livelihoods by sponsoring:

• A Sheep Unit Sponsorship – fund livestock for a new farmer

• Apprentice Farmer Sponsorship – support a trainee during the learning period

• Livestock Training Support – help provide veterinary awareness and training

Every sponsorship helps transform a rural youth into a self-reliant livestock entrepreneur.

2. Sheep Farming & Organic Mutton Economy

Sheep farming is one of the most significant traditional livelihoods in Kashmir.

The region has millions of sheep and goats, and mutton is the most widely consumed meat in the Valley. Yet local production still falls short of demand, forcing large-scale imports from outside states.

This gap presents a major opportunity to strengthen local sheep farming, which can:

• generate rural employment

• increase farmer income

• support wool and dairy sectors

• strengthen the local food economy

 

PBF Organic Farm-Fresh Mutton Initiative

To support local farmers, Prof. Bashir Foundation has launched a pilot Organic Mutton Delivery Project.

Key Features

Type: Milk-teeth lamb (Ame-dond)
Source: Local sheep farms
Freshness: Delivery on slaughter day
Quality: Hygienic and disease-free
Transparency: Members can visit farms and facilities
Price: Fair to both farmers and consumers

This initiative:

• directly strengthens local sheep farmers

• builds trust in organic food systems

• creates training opportunities for youth.

• Helps PBF to develop internships for students across sectors.

Kashmir’s unique ecology — snow-fed water systems, fertile soils, alpine pastures and diverse flora — makes it one of the most naturally organic agricultural regions in South Asia.

The region has enormous potential in other sectors such as:

• dairy products

• fish farming

• rabbit farming

• honey and beekeeping

• saffron and spices

• medicinal and aromatic plants

• mushrooms

• organic vegetables and fruits

• wool and traditional crafts

However, farmers often face barriers such as fragmented markets, middlemen, lack of training and weak value chains.

PBF is developing a model to bring all these on the Cooperative model for which groundwork has been initiated. This will also help PBF to develop internships for students across sectors & connect education with likelihoods.