Impact of crossbreeding and upgrading of nondescript cattle and buffaloes on livestock quality and income

Upgradation of the progeny of low productive nondescript cattle through crossbreeding during 60’s, marked the involvement of marginal and small farmers who represented 85% of the land holders in India, in dairy industry. Various development organisations took initiatives to conserve local breeds of...

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Main Author: NARAYAN G HEGDE
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Indian Council of Agricultural Research 2023-01-01
Series:Indian Journal of Animal Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://epubs.icar.org.in/index.php/IJAnS/article/view/80009
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author NARAYAN G HEGDE
author_facet NARAYAN G HEGDE
author_sort NARAYAN G HEGDE
collection DOAJ
description Upgradation of the progeny of low productive nondescript cattle through crossbreeding during 60’s, marked the involvement of marginal and small farmers who represented 85% of the land holders in India, in dairy industry. Various development organisations took initiatives to conserve local breeds of cows and buffaloes. To study the response of farmers to genetic improvement of cattle through crossbreeding and upgradation with native breeds, a field survey was conducted in 8 states where BAIF has been providing livestock breeding services. The study revealed that with reliable services, the population of crossbred cattle increased with significant reduction in nondescript cattle. Recently, due to aggressive propaganda on native cows, farmers have been gradually shifting to native breeds of cattle. Most of the farmers had no idea about the economics of native cows while the average milk yield of crossbreds was 100% to 150% higher. With regard to buffaloes, Murrah breed was popular. The programme enabled farmers to generate higher income by selling surplus milk and animals. Farmers covered under milk collection realized higher price. There was 200% to 400% increase in income of dairy farmers, based on the duration of their participation, number of cows owned, availability of feed and veterinary services, realization of price for milk, etc. The programme helped significant number of poor families to come out of poverty. However, as there is a move to shift from crossbreeding to upgrade with native breeds, it is recommended to study the economics of milch animals with other advantages and disadvantages to enlighten the farmers.
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spelling doaj.art-e92ea2f6fc5d42c08a395144b98f7e4c2023-02-08T11:22:41ZengIndian Council of Agricultural ResearchIndian Journal of Animal Sciences0367-83182394-33272023-01-0188510.56093/ijans.v88i5.80009Impact of crossbreeding and upgrading of nondescript cattle and buffaloes on livestock quality and incomeNARAYAN G HEGDE0Trustee, BAIF Development Research Foundation, Dr Manibhai Desai Nagar, Warje, Pune 411 058 India Upgradation of the progeny of low productive nondescript cattle through crossbreeding during 60’s, marked the involvement of marginal and small farmers who represented 85% of the land holders in India, in dairy industry. Various development organisations took initiatives to conserve local breeds of cows and buffaloes. To study the response of farmers to genetic improvement of cattle through crossbreeding and upgradation with native breeds, a field survey was conducted in 8 states where BAIF has been providing livestock breeding services. The study revealed that with reliable services, the population of crossbred cattle increased with significant reduction in nondescript cattle. Recently, due to aggressive propaganda on native cows, farmers have been gradually shifting to native breeds of cattle. Most of the farmers had no idea about the economics of native cows while the average milk yield of crossbreds was 100% to 150% higher. With regard to buffaloes, Murrah breed was popular. The programme enabled farmers to generate higher income by selling surplus milk and animals. Farmers covered under milk collection realized higher price. There was 200% to 400% increase in income of dairy farmers, based on the duration of their participation, number of cows owned, availability of feed and veterinary services, realization of price for milk, etc. The programme helped significant number of poor families to come out of poverty. However, as there is a move to shift from crossbreeding to upgrade with native breeds, it is recommended to study the economics of milch animals with other advantages and disadvantages to enlighten the farmers. https://epubs.icar.org.in/index.php/IJAnS/article/view/80009BuffaloesCrossbreedingGenetic improvementIncomeLivestockNon descript cattle
spellingShingle NARAYAN G HEGDE
Impact of crossbreeding and upgrading of nondescript cattle and buffaloes on livestock quality and income
Indian Journal of Animal Sciences
Buffaloes
Crossbreeding
Genetic improvement
Income
Livestock
Non descript cattle
title Impact of crossbreeding and upgrading of nondescript cattle and buffaloes on livestock quality and income
title_full Impact of crossbreeding and upgrading of nondescript cattle and buffaloes on livestock quality and income
title_fullStr Impact of crossbreeding and upgrading of nondescript cattle and buffaloes on livestock quality and income
title_full_unstemmed Impact of crossbreeding and upgrading of nondescript cattle and buffaloes on livestock quality and income
title_short Impact of crossbreeding and upgrading of nondescript cattle and buffaloes on livestock quality and income
title_sort impact of crossbreeding and upgrading of nondescript cattle and buffaloes on livestock quality and income
topic Buffaloes
Crossbreeding
Genetic improvement
Income
Livestock
Non descript cattle
url https://epubs.icar.org.in/index.php/IJAnS/article/view/80009
work_keys_str_mv AT narayanghegde impactofcrossbreedingandupgradingofnondescriptcattleandbuffaloesonlivestockqualityandincome