Breeding

Paul Thorer played a decisive role in the establishment of the karakul industry in Namibia, however, it was the manager of the Experimental Farm, Neudamm, Mr A D Thompson, who gave SWAKARA its unique characteristics. He realised from the very beginning that Namibian producers should concentrate on quality and not quantity to be in competition with other karakul producing countries. During his visit to the fur markets he noticed that better prices were paid for broadtail pelts and he, therefore, decided to try breeding a flat type of pelt instead of the traditional curl type.

This decision was thus directly responsible for the fact that the most sought after karakul pelts produced in the world originates from Southern Africa. The ecological fur of the future.

The hardiness of the karakul sheep and its ability to survive in arid areas ensures human habitation without destroying the balance of nature. Namibia with its arid semi desert conditions encountered in the southern and western areas lend itself ideally to karakul farming. While grazing, the animals trample grass seeds into the soil, which would otherwise be carried away by the wind. To supply enough grazing for one single sheep requires three to twelve hectares of land. This factor dictates the size of the flock. Rearing all lambs (like mutton farmers) in this area which offers no viable alternative to karakul farming would result in overgrazing within a very short time, forcing the farmers to abandon their farms. During drought farmers rely heavily on the karakul for an income.

Approximately 600 farmers (commercial and communal) are farming with karakul sheep. Approximately 20% of the pelts produced in Namibia are coming from the communal areas.