| Sheep production in Mauritius is characterised by small scale farms that reared up to
20 heads of sheep. In 2015, the total meat produced from sheep amounted to 25.5
tonnes (of which 15.4 tonnes was from Rodriguan stock and only 0.8 tonnes from local
stock).
The national herd in 2018 was estimated at around 2900 heads. Per capita
consumption of mutton is around 4.52kg/year. Mutton, unlike beef and pork, is
consumed by most of the Mauritian population and is not subject to religious or ethnic
restrictions. There is therefore significant scope for its development in Mauritius. An
additional boost needs to be given to sheep farmers in order to increase production.
The short supply of quality breeding stock is a major issue in sheep production. To
address this issue, the Government provided funds for the setting up of a reproduction
farm for the supply of breeding stock to the farming community.
The existing farm of the Bergerie de Salazie was renovated to accommodate 200
breeding sheep with the objective of providing 150-200 fattening stock to the farming
community.
The Sheep Reproduction Farm at Salazie was relaunched in September 2019 with
pedigree-certified Dorper sheep imported from South Africa. The objective of the farm
is to provide weaner lambs to the farming community at affordable prices.
The price of a lamb varies according to the age of the animal.
A brief history of sheep production in Mauritius
Sheep production did not develop in Mauritius mainly for historical reasons. The
earliest ruminants brought into the country were goats, principally by the Indian
immigrants who traditionally reared goats as a backyard activity. This practice
continues even today and the country has a herd of about 26000 heads. In Rodrigues,
on the other hand, sheep flocks were brought into the island during colonial times and
because of genetic isolation considerable in-breeding led to decreased production.
The hairy, non-descript breed that developed there was called “La Rodriguaise". Exotic
breeds were introduced in 1955 and subsequently to improve the genetic pools and
fertility of the Rodriguan sheep.
The introduction of sheep in 1965-1966 and 1973-75 with temperate breeds such as
Romney Marsh, Polled Dorset and Corriedale did not meet with much success, the
animals did not thrive and reproduce under local climatic conditions. Between 1978
and 1983, 2 tropical sheep breeds, the Persian Blackhead and the Dorper were tested
by the Animal Production Division and proved to be successful due to their resistance
to diseases, their satisfactory prolificacy and their good meat yield. In parallel, the
sugar estates also began producing Wiltshire Horn, which also showed promising
results at the time.
Building on these successes, and with the assistance obtained from the “Commission
Mixte Franco-Mauricien", the APD established the Bergerie de Salazie which started
operation in 1987 with 10 rams and 90 ewes. The farm operated with an average of
200 sheep until its closure in 2006.
The Salazie Sheep Reproduction Farm was officially relaunched by the Hon. Mahen
Kumar Seeruttun on the 26 September 2019. The Opening Ceremony was held at
Salazie in the presence of several dignitaries of the Ministry and farmers. Mr. V. A.
Punchoo, Director of the Agricultural Services and Dr. D. Meenowa, Assistant Director,
Livestock and Veterinary also addressed the assistance on this occasion.
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