In news- The National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR) has recognised the Manda buffalo, found in the Eastern Ghats and Odisha, as the 19th unique breed of buffaloes found in India.
About the Buffalo-
- Manda buffaloes are native to Odisha and have ash grey and grey coat colour with copper colour hairs.
- The lower part of their legs up to the elbow is light-colored with copper-color hair at the knee.
- Some animals are silver-white in colour.
- These sturdy buffaloes are small-sized.
- People use both male and female buffaloes for ploughing and other agricultural operations in the native tract of Koraput, Malkangiri and Nabarangpur districts.
- These animals are resistant to parasitic infection and less prone to diseases and can live, produce and reproduce at low/nil input systems.
- The average milk yield of these buffaloes is 2 to 2.5 litre in single milking with more than eight percent fat.
- Every 1.5 to 2 years they give birth to a calf for the whole life of around 20 years.
- This buffalo germplasm was first identified by the fisheries and animal resources development (FARD) department in collaboration with the Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT).
- After conducting a detailed survey, the findings were sent to the NBAGR for recognition.
- After the registration, the state and the Centre will now make efforts to conserve this unique buffalo genetic resource and enhance their productivity through breeding strategy.
From Odisha, four breeds of cattle – Binjharpuri, Motu, Ghumusari and Khariar and two breeds of buffalo- Chilika and Kalahandi and one breed of sheep- Kendrapada, have already received NBAGR recognition.
About ICAR-NBAGR-
- It was established on 21st September, 1984 at Bangalore in the form of twin institutes namely ICAR- National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources and National Institute of Animal Genetics and then shifted to Karnal in 1985.
- The two institutes were merged to function as a single entity in the form of ICAR-NBAGR in 1995.
- This premier institute is dedicated to work with its mandate of identification, evaluation, characterization, conservation and utilization of livestock and poultry genetic resources of the country.
Objectives-
- To conduct systematic surveys to characterise, evaluate and catalogue farm livestock and poultry genetic resources and to establish their National DataBase.
- To design methodologies for ex situ conservation and in situ management and optimal utilization of farm animal genetic resources.
- To undertake studies on genetic characterisation using modern biological techniques such as molecular cytogenetics, Immunology, DNA Fingerprinting, RFLP analysis etc.
- To conduct training programmes as related to evaluation, characterisation and utilisation of animal genetic resources.
Source: The Hindu
