ICAR-National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources organized Interface Meet of Kerala state for ‘Documentation of Indigenous AnGR of Kerala’ at College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy on 8th September, 2023, in collaboration with Animal Husbandry Department, Govt. of Kerala and Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (KVASU). This was 16th State Interface Meet under the “Mission towards zero non-descript AnGR of India”.
About 60 delegates including Officers of State Animal Husbandry Dept., Kerala Livestock Development Board, Faculty of College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, research scholars, progressive farmers attended the Meet.
Dr A. Kowsigan IAS, Director, Animal Husbandry Department, Govt. of Kerala in his address, appreciated the efforts of the Bureau in documenting the indigenous AnGR across the country and initiating the drive in Kerala state. Ankamaly pig and Kutanand duck, already well-known unique populations of Kerala may also be registered. He further emphasised over conducting the training programs for the veterinary officers in AnGR management including breed characterization and process of registration. Dr Kowsigan also offered full cooperation to bureau for making the state free of non-descript AnGR.
Dr BP Mishra, Director, ICAR-NBAGR, in his Keynote address outlined the Mission towards Zero Non-descript AnGR in the country and presented a roadmap to achieve the objective of the Mission. The state is known for its native tract for world famous Vechur cattle and presently having less proportion of non-descript AnGR than the country’s average. Prof Dr. Vijayakumar, Dean, CoVSc, Thrissur in his address emphasized the need to document the indigenous non-descript animal genetic resources of Kerala state.
During the technical session, Dr K Anil Kumar, Professor, AG&B, CoVSc, Thrissur presented the current status of AnGR of Kerala in detail. Dr. R K Pundir, Head, AGR Division, ICAR-NBAGR during the presentation discussed in detail about the process for registering indigenous breeds and further Gazette notification. Dr Raja K N, Senior Scientist of the Bureau described strategies for characterization and documentation of native AnGR in the state. Dr Sindhu K, Additional Director, (AH), Animal Husbandry Department, Govt. of Kerala presented livestock policies and ongoing development programs implemented of the department. Dr Rajeev, Managing Director, Kerala Livestock Development Board informed about the research undergoing for productivity enhancement and conservation of AnGR by the organization.
