Network Project on AnGR
- History:
India’s domestic animal diversity is represented by a large number of breeds of cattle, buffalo, sheep, goat, pig, camel, horse, donkey, yak, mithun and poultry which have developed over centuries of their adaptation and selection by the human being. The information available on these breeds with respect to their distribution, utility, morphology, reproduction, growth and production was scanty. NBAGR, therefore, conceived an all-India Network Project on AnGR in VIII plan and chalked out the technical programme to characterize the livestock and poultry breeds of India. In the VIII plan phenotypic characterization of eight breeds was undertaken and distribution, utility, morphology, reproduction, growth and production of these breeds were documented. Subsequently genetic characterization and in situ and ex situ conservation programmes were added in the IX plan and further continued in next plans also. A paradigm shift in approach of AnGR characterization was happened in 2021, at the moment when Bureau initiated the survey and documentation of AnGR across the country under the “Mission towards Zero Non-Descript AnGR of India’. In Sync to the Mission, Network Project (NWP) Centers were established in various states for documentation of indigenous AnGR and characterization and registration of potential populations in respective states. In 2022-23, three NWP centres were established in three states. Further, in 2023-24, 27 NWP centres and in 2024-25, total 32 NWP Centres in 26 states/UTs were established. During 2024, phenotypic characterization of 68 potential populations of indigenous livestock and poultry was carried out. These included 14 populations of cattle, 7 buffalo, 8 sheep, 14 goat, 2 pig, 14 chicken, 1 duck, 2 dog, 3 Horse and pony and one Yak. For characterization of 68 indigenous livestock and poultry populations and conservation of five critical breeds (Tibettan and Karnah sheep, Mewari camel, Zanskari pony and Halari donkey), total 27 centers were involved.
b. Objectives:
- To characterize the breeds in terms of both qualitative and quantitative traits.
- Molecular genetic characterization and candidate gene studies in indigenous breeds.
- To develop the breed descriptors.
- To conserve the germplasm.
