India registers Karan Fries and Vrindavani synthetic cattle breeds, raising total livestock breeds to 246 and boosting dairy productivity with conservation.
India Registers New High-Yielding Synthetic Cattle Breeds, Livestock Count Reaches 246
India has taken another significant step towards strengthening its dairy and livestock sector with the registration of two high-yielding synthetic cattle breeds capable of producing more than 3,000 kg of milk in a 10-month lactation period. With this milestone, the total number of registered livestock and poultry breeds in the country has increased to 246, reflecting India’s balanced approach of boosting productivity while conserving indigenous genetic resources.
Certification of New Livestock and Poultry Breeds
At a national-level event organised by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research – National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR), Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan formally presented registration certificates for 16 newly recognised livestock and poultry breeds.
Breed registration provides:
- Legal recognition to animal genetic resources
- Scientific documentation of unique traits
- Support for region-specific breeding, conservation, and development programmes
- Eligibility for government schemes and conservation incentives
ICAR has been carrying out systematic breed registration since 2008, ensuring that India’s vast animal biodiversity is properly identified, protected, and promoted.
Synthetic Breeds Driving Dairy Productivity
The two newly registered synthetic dairy cattle breeds are:
Karan Fries
- Developed by the National Dairy Research Institute, Haryana
- Created by cross-breeding indigenous Tharparkar cows with Holstein-Friesian bulls
- Known for high milk yield, adaptability, and better feed efficiency
Vrindavani
- Developed by the Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Uttar Pradesh
- A composite breed combining Holstein-Friesian, Brown Swiss, and Jersey with indigenous Hariana cattle
- Bred to suit Indian climatic conditions while delivering significantly higher milk output
These breeds outperform most indigenous cattle, which generally produce 1,000–2,000 kg of milk per lactation, making them crucial for meeting India’s rising dairy demand.
Emphasis on Indigenous Breed Conservation
While highlighting the role of synthetic breeds in improving productivity, ICAR Director General M L Jat stressed the importance of conserving indigenous animal genetic resources, especially in the context of climate change and sustainability.
Out of the 16 newly registered breeds, 14 are indigenous, underlining ICAR’s strong conservation focus. These include:
- Cattle: Medini, Rohikhandi
- Buffalo: Melghati
- Goats: Palamu, Udaipuri
- Mithun: Nagami Mithun
- Several indigenous poultry and waterfowl breeds from eastern and southern India
These native breeds are valued for their climate resilience, disease resistance, and suitability to low-input farming systems, which are essential for small and marginal farmers.
Important Facts for Competitive Exams
- India now has 246 registered livestock and poultry breeds
- Karan Fries and Vrindavani are India’s recognised synthetic dairy cattle breeds
- ICAR has been registering breeds annually since 2008
- Breed registration ensures legal protection, scientific recognition, and targeted development support
- India currently has 242 indigenous breeds and 4 synthetic breeds
Policy Significance and Sectoral Impact
ICAR officials highlighted that:
- Synthetic breeds help bridge the gap between milk demand and supply
- Indigenous breeds ensure long-term sustainability and climate adaptability
- The registration process, which takes two to five years, strengthens breed improvement planning and conservation strategies
To encourage grassroots conservation efforts, ICAR conservation awards were also presented to individuals and institutions working for the preservation of indigenous breeds.
Conclusion
The registration of Karan Fries and Vrindavani marks an important milestone in India’s livestock development journey. By combining high productivity through synthetic breeds with robust conservation of indigenous genetic resources, India is reinforcing a livestock policy that supports food security, rural livelihoods, climate resilience, and sustainable agriculture—a strategy that is both economically and ecologically sound.
