17th January 2025, New Delhi
ICAR honored the applicants of animal breeds registered between 2023 and 2025 during a ceremony organised today at the NASC Complex, ICAR.
Dr Himanshu Pathak, Secretary (DARE) and Director General (ICAR), highlighted the breed applicants and stakeholders involved in breed registration in asserting sovereignty over native germplasm and documenting their characteristics. He emphasized that these native breeds will play a key role in sustainable agriculture. Dr also spoke about the global recognition of India’s efforts to preserve indigenous animal genetic resources (AnGR) and stressed the importance of early breed documentation, particularly in relation to ecosystem services. He lauded the ICAR-National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources for its focused efforts in exploring potential breeds.
Dr Raghavendra Bhatta, Deputy Director General (Animal Sciences), ICAR, provided an update on the breeds registered by ICAR. He explained that the registration of animal breeds began in 2008 to protect native breeds. He stated that India’s breed registration framework could serve as a model for other countries seeking to protect their native AnGR. Dr Bhatta also commended the collective efforts of all stakeholders in preserving AnGR diversity and registering new breeds.
Dr Abhijit Mitra, Animal Husbandry Commissioner, Dept of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, emphasized that various government programs would be launched for the development of these breeds in the states, which would provide long-term benefits to livestock keepers. He also lauded the efforts of ICAR-NBAGR in assisting DAHD with the 21st Breed-wise Livestock Census (2024) in the country.
Dr Triveni Dutt, Director, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, acknowledged the efforts of breed applicants during the occasion.
Dr BP Mishra, Director, ICAR-National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources, highlighted that a total of 230 animal breeds have been registered so far, including 54 for cattle, 21 for buffalo, 41 for goats, 46 for sheep, 8 for horses and ponies, 9 for camels, 15 for pigs, 4 for donkeys, 5 for dogs, 2 for yaks, 20 for chickens, 4 for ducks, and 1 for geese. He also informed that, since 2010, ICAR has registered 101 new breeds in the country.
Vice-chancellor, DDG, ADGs of ICAR, Directors of various SAUs/SVUs, ICAR Research Institutes, and officers from DAHD attended the programme.
Out of the 18 breeds registered, three each from Ladakh (UT) and Andaman & Nicobar (UT) as a primary home tract. Other states are Andhra Pradesh (1), Assam (1), Chhattisgarh (1), Gujarat (1), Maharashtra (2), Himachal Pradesh (1), Rajasthan (1), Tripura (1), Uttarakhand (1), and Uttar Pradesh (2).
A total of 164 applicants were recognized for registering 18 breeds of indigenous livestock, poultry, and dogs.
(Source: Animal Science Division, ICAR)
