The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has expanded the registry of scientifically recognized and well-documented animal breeds in the country by officially registering 16 new indigenous breeds. These additions include breeds of cattle and buffaloes. Consequently, the total number of such breeds in India has reached 262.
This step aims to conserve and sustainably utilize India's diverse genetic resources of animals, which possess resilience to climate change. This measure is particularly relevant against the growing threat to animal productivity and overall food security caused by rising temperatures due to global warming.
The ICAR-NBAGR Institute, based in Karnal, is the primary institution responsible for registering cattle and poultry breeds in India. Following the inclusion of the new entries, there are now 59 cattle breeds among the indigenous breeds (including Sahiwal, Gir, Red Kandhari, and Hallikar), 23 buffalo breeds (such as Murra, Nili Ravi, Bhadwari, and Mehsana), 45 goat breeds, 50 sheep breeds, 16 pig breeds, as well as nine breeds each of horses and ponies, camels, and ducks; five breeds of donkeys; six breeds of dogs, and three breeds of yaks.