NEW DELHI: The government has notified ten new livestock and poultry breeds across various states, including buffalo, dogs, goats, ducks, donkeys, pigs, sheep, and yaks. They are now on the list of animal genetic resources registered by the National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR) under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). The total number of registered breeds in India now stands at 212.
The new breeds have been recognised due to their special genetic importance. They possess distinctive characteristics, are well-adapted to local climates, and are numerically scarce. Recognising them will aid the government in formulating policies aligned with livestock needs.
The Department of Agricultural Research and Education, under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare has acknowledged these breeds to enhance productivity, improve animal health and welfare, boost trade, and contribute to food security.
According to the data, there is one new breed of buffalo, two new breeds of dog and goat, and one breed each of donkey, duck, pig, sheep, and yak.
The buffalo breed, ‘Manah’, is native to Assam, particularly the Nalbari, Kamrup, Barpeta, and Goalpara districts. This mid-sized breed is valuable for milk production because it can perform draft work, such as ploughing and carting.
The two dog breeds are ‘Gaddi’ from Himachal Pradesh and ‘Changkhi’ from Ladakh. The former guards sheep and goats from predators and is nicknamed the ‘Indian Panther Hound.’ The latter is a large, powerfully built breed known for its strength and alertness.
The two goat breeds are Chaugarkha from Uttarakhand and Bundelkhandi from Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. The Chaugarkha is a small, meat-purpose goat breed native to the temperate Kumaon region, whereas the Bundelkhandi is an indigenous breed suited for grazing and adapted to withstand extreme temperatures.
The government has also recognized the ‘Ladakhi’ donkey breed from the Ladakh region. This breed is known for its exceptional endurance and adaptability to harsh, high-altitude environments, making it a hardy and reliable work animal.
The recognition of the Tripureswari duck breed from Tripura is expected to benefit small-scale farmers in wetland areas. This breed is adaptable, climate-resilient, and economically valuable. It produces 70 to 101 eggs annually and yields over a kilogram of meat.
The only pig breed notified is the Karkambi, indigenous to Maharashtra, which is raised for meat production under a scavenging system. Another sheep breed recognized is the Kheri sheep, a resilient breed from Rajasthan known for its high-quality carpet wool and exceptional migration abilities. The Ladakhi yak breed, also from the Ladakh region, is well-adapted to high altitudes and is vital for the local population, providing milk, meat, hides, fiber, and manure.