Agriculture

Conserving India’s Livestock: The Process of Animal Breed Registration in India

India has a rich biodiversity of animal breeds that have evolved over centuries in response to the diverse agro-climatic conditions of the country. To conserve and promote these breeds, the Indian government has set up a national registry for livestock breeds.

The National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR) is the nodal agency for breed registration in India. NBAGR is responsible for the characterization, evaluation, and registration of indigenous livestock breeds.

The registration of animal breeds is done through a formal process that involves scientific evaluation and verification of their distinctiveness, uniformity, and breed-specific traits.

The process of breed registration in India starts with the identification of a candidate breed that has unique features, such as disease resistance, adaptation to local environmental conditions, and special product quality.

The breed is then surveyed and evaluated by a team of experts who assess its physical, physiological, and genetic characteristics.

The data collected from these surveys are used to develop a breed description and a breed standard, which serve as the basis for the registration of the breed.

The next step is to determine the genetic distinctiveness of the breed. This is done by analyzing the breed’s genetic markers, such as DNA sequences, and comparing them to other breeds in the region or the world.

Bishnupada

The analysis determines the breed’s genetic purity and verifies its distinctiveness from other breeds.

Once the breed is found to be distinct, uniform, and breed-specific, it is assigned an accession number, and its registration is formalized. The registration includes the breed’s name, breed standard, and unique identification number.

The registration of animal breeds has several benefits, both for the animals and the farmers. The registration provides a legal status for the breed, which helps in its conservation and promotion.

The registration also helps in the identification of breed-specific traits, which can be used in breeding programs to develop new breeds or improve existing ones.

In addition, registered breeds receive government support in the form of funding for conservation, research, and development programs. The government also encourages the marketing of registered breeds and their products, which can generate higher revenue for farmers.

In conclusion, breed registration is an essential process for the conservation and promotion of indigenous animal breeds in India. It helps to preserve the genetic diversity of the country’s livestock, promote sustainable agriculture, and support the livelihoods of farmers.

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