Khuzestan - Iran has launched a program in the southwestern Khuzestan Province to monitor and nationally register the indigenous Najdi sheep, locally known as Oveisi, in a move to safeguard the country’s livestock genetic resources.

 

Bahareh Taheri Dezfuli, project lead at the Khuzestan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Center, said the initiative is being implemented under national livestock legislation requiring the identification, conservation, and genetic improvement of native breeds.

 

“The sheep are primarily raised in southern Khuzestan, especially in Abadan and Khorramshahr. To date, herds have been identified and 384 animals are being tagged with 15-digit identification codes. Blood samples from 100 animals will be collected for DNA extraction and storage in the national gene bank to support future genetic and breeding research.”

 

Field surveys conducted during the mating season are documenting geographic distribution, herd structure, sex ratios, and breeding conditions. Officials said the project aims to establish a formal breed registry, strengthening genetic conservation, supporting food security, and enabling sustainable, climate-adapted livestock improvement, the report said.

 

The Najdi or Nejdi is a breed of domestic sheep primarily found in the Najd region of the Arabian Peninsula. Though it is primarily raised in Saudi Arabia, Najdi sheep are also present in Kuwait, Jordan, Iraq and Oman. They may also be found in many other locations, including Jeddah.