India has expanded its registered livestock and poultry genetic resources with the addition of 16 new breeds, taking the total to 246. The newly recognised list includes two high-yielding synthetic cattle breeds, several indigenous cattle, buffalo, goat, sheep, poultry, duck and geese varieties. The move is for dairy productivity, breed conservation and climate-resilient animal husbandry.
Newly Registered Synthetic Cattle Breeds
India has registered two synthetic cattle breeds with high milk-producing potential:
- Karan Fries, developed by the National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, is a cross between Tharparkar cows and Holstein-Friesian bulls.
- Vrindavani, developed by the ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Bareilly, combines Holstein-Friesian, Brown Swiss and Jersey with indigenous Hariana cattle.
Both breeds can produce over 3,000 kg of milk during a 10-month lactation period. This is much higher than the usual yield of indigenous cattle, which is around 1,000-2,000 kg.
Indigenous Breeds Added to the Register
Out of the 16 newly registered breeds, 14 are indigenous. These include:
- Medini and Rohikhandi cattle
- Melghati buffalo
- Palamu and Udaipuri goats
- Nagami mithun
- Avishaan, a synthetic sheep breed from Rajasthan
The list also includes poultry and waterfowl breeds such as Mala Chicken, Kodo Duck, Kudu Duck, Kuttanad Duck, Manipuri Duck, Nagi Duck and Rajdigheli Geese.
Significance for Dairy and Breed Conservation
The registration of breeds provides legal protection and supports breed-specific development programmes. It also helps in implementing government schemes for livestock improvement. The synthetic breeds are important for improving milk output, while indigenous breeds remain vital for adaptation, disease resistance and climate resilience.
ICAR Breed Registration Framework
Since 2008, ICAR has been registering animal breeds annually. The process usually takes 2-5 years and is aimed at documenting genetic diversity and preserving valuable animal resources. The latest additions have raised India’s count to 242 indigenous and four synthetic registered breeds.
Last Modified: April 26, 2026