The Central Sheep and Wool Research Institute (CSWRI) is an agricultural research institution located in Rajasthan, India. It functions under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), the apex body for coordinating agricultural research and education in the country, and is dedicated to research on sheep husbandry, wool production, and allied small ruminant sciences.
| Name | Central Sheep and Wool Research Institute |
|---|---|
| Acronym | CSWRI |
| Type | Agricultural research institute |
| Parent body | Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) |
| Location | Avikanagar, Rajasthan, India |
| Focus areas | Sheep, wool, rabbit and small ruminant research |
CSWRI is the principal national institute in India focused on research and development of sheep and wool. The institute is headquartered at Avikanagar in Rajasthan, a region with a long pastoral tradition and conditions suited to sheep rearing. It works on improving indigenous sheep breeds, developing crossbreeds for wool and mutton, evaluating fodder and nutrition strategies, and supporting the wool processing chain.
In addition to its main campus at Avikanagar, CSWRI operates regional research stations to address the agro-climatic diversity of Indian sheep production, including stations focused on temperate and southern peninsular conditions.
Sheep rearing is an important livelihood for pastoral and smallholder communities across the arid and semi-arid belts of India, particularly in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and the Himalayan states. CSWRI contributes scientific inputs to this sector, supporting wool supply for India's carpet and woollen industries and improving incomes from mutton production.