Why these giant sheep are the preferred herd in Tajikistan’s battle against climate change and meat shortages

Difficulty: Summiteer (Level 3)

In the hills of the Central Asian country Tajikistan, shepherd Bakhtior Sharipov watched over his flock of giant Hissar sheep.

The breed is prized for profitability and its ability to adapt to climate change.

“They rapidly gain weight even when there is little water and pasture available,” 18-year-old Sharipov said.

Amid serious degradation in the region’s farmland, Hissar sheep give farmers a better way to make money since they yield more meat than most other breeds; large rams can weigh over 210kg. Mutton…