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Preface
Agriculture and livestock are interdependent and synergistically contributing to economic growth of the country. Livestock contributes around one fourth of the total GDP coming from agricultural sector. About seventy-five per cent of the rural masses are associated with livestock rearing and earn their livelihood partially/wholly from this sector. Although, we are growing very fast in livestock production for milk, egg, meat etc, yet at the same time are becoming more dependent only on a few high producing livestock breeds.
India is endowed with rich livestock diversity having 151 well-established indigenous breeds of livestock across all species till date and many more still to be recognised which are adapted to varying climatic and abiotic stress conditions. However, as a result of indiscriminate crossing of the indigenous breeds with exotic germ plasm or their mixing with the local breeds, there is a concern of losing pure breeds. India possesses one of the largest livestock wealth in the world. The total livestock population consisting of Cattle, Buffalo, Sheep, Goat, Pig, Horses & Ponies, Mules, Donkeys, Camels, Mithun and Yak in the country is 512.05 million (Livestock Census 2012).
According to 19th Livestock Census, cattle population was 190.90 million (37.28%), buffalo 108.70 million (21.23%), sheep 65.10 million (12.71%), goat 135.17 million (26.40%) and pigs 10.29 million (2.01%). The corresponding percentage wise figures as per 18 Census, were 37.58%, 19.89%, 13.50%, 26.53% and 2.10%. Mithun, yaks, horses, all together made-up of 0.37 % of the total livestock. There was a positive growth in horses & ponies with 11.68% increase and mules with 13.26% in urban areas.
Globally, the livestock diversity has become more vulnerable to genetic erosion probably due to monoculture of high performing breeds in response to increasing market demand. Ever changing utilization pattern has shrunken the base of some of the most important livestock breeds. The widely distributed and diversified genetic resources are also underutilized because of one reason or the other. Our indigenous livestock is well acknowledged worldwide for possessing genes for unique attributes or combinations of characteristics like disease resistance, tolerance to climatic extremes particularly heat tolerance and better thriving ability, which will become more and more important for sustainable animal production in future. However, at the same time, we have to devise new methodologies for better and diversified utilization of our livestock as per the changing market demands and social patterns.
This book is based on the conference on “Integrated Development of Vast Biodiversity of Indigenous Livestock for Long Term Rural Livelihood Security” which was organized by the department of Animal Genetics and Breeding, College of Veterinary in collaboration with the Society for Conservation of Domestic Animal Biodiversity on February 7-8, 2013. The society organizes this event every year at different institutions in the country which are engaged in development of livestock and animal welfare. After peer review, 233 research papers were accepted for presentation during the symposium. Later on, 25 papers were selected for publication in this book. There are 25 chapters in total in which the distinguished contributors have made valuable contribution to the field of conservation of animal biodiversity and improvement of livestock.
The selected manuscripts were further improved and the edited book presents the topics on cattle genetic resources, strategic action plan for sustainable management, conservation and genetic improvement, breeding strategies to improve milk productivity, production systems and breeding policies for genetic improvement, application of biotechnological tools for conservation and improving of animal genetic resources, bioinformatics and genome analysis in conservation, heat stress management etc. The contributors to this book deserve special thanks as it is only because of their valuable contributions due to which publication of this book could be possible. The contents of the book are as per the material provided by the contributors and the editors shall not be responsible for any controversy. The editors duly acknowledge the assistance provided by Shri Shailendra Singh, Laboratory Technician in the department of Animal Genetics and Breeding for compilation of this book.
Preface
Agriculture and livestock are interdependent and synergistically contributing to economic growth of the country. Livestock contributes around one fourth of the total GDP coming from agricultural sector. About seventy-five per cent of the rural masses are associated with livestock rearing and earn their livelihood partially/wholly from this sector. Although, we are growing very fast in livestock production for milk, egg, meat etc, yet at the same time are becoming more dependent only on a few high producing livestock breeds.
India is endowed with rich livestock diversity having 151 well-established indigenous breeds of livestock across all species till date and many more still to be recognised which are adapted to varying climatic and abiotic stress conditions. However, as a result of indiscriminate crossing of the indigenous breeds with exotic germ plasm or their mixing with the local breeds, there is a concern of losing pure breeds. India possesses one of the largest livestock wealth in the world. The total livestock population consisting of Cattle, Buffalo, Sheep, Goat, Pig, Horses & Ponies, Mules, Donkeys, Camels, Mithun and Yak in the country is 512.05 million (Livestock Census 2012).
According to 19th Livestock Census, cattle population was 190.90 million (37.28%), buffalo 108.70 million (21.23%), sheep 65.10 million (12.71%), goat 135.17 million (26.40%) and pigs 10.29 million (2.01%). The corresponding percentage wise figures as per 18 Census, were 37.58%, 19.89%, 13.50%, 26.53% and 2.10%. Mithun, yaks, horses, all together made-up of 0.37 % of the total livestock. There was a positive growth in horses & ponies with 11.68% increase and mules with 13.26% in urban areas.
Globally, the livestock diversity has become more vulnerable to genetic erosion probably due to monoculture of high performing breeds in response to increasing market demand. Ever changing utilization pattern has shrunken the base of some of the most important livestock breeds. The widely distributed and diversified genetic resources are also underutilized because of one reason or the other. Our indigenous livestock is well acknowledged worldwide for possessing genes for unique attributes or combinations of characteristics like disease resistance, tolerance to climatic extremes particularly heat tolerance and better thriving ability, which will become more and more important for sustainable animal production in future. However, at the same time, we have to devise new methodologies for better and diversified utilization of our livestock as per the changing market demands and social patterns.
This book is based on the conference on “Integrated Development of Vast Biodiversity of Indigenous Livestock for Long Term Rural Livelihood Security” which was organized by the department of Animal Genetics and Breeding, College of Veterinary in collaboration with the Society for Conservation of Domestic Animal Biodiversity on February 7-8, 2013. The society organizes this event every year at different institutions in the country which are engaged in development of livestock and animal welfare. After peer review, 233 research papers were accepted for presentation during the symposium. Later on, 25 papers were selected for publication in this book. There are 25 chapters in total in which the distinguished contributors have made valuable contribution to the field of conservation of animal biodiversity and improvement of livestock.
The selected manuscripts were further improved and the edited book presents the topics on cattle genetic resources, strategic action plan for sustainable management, conservation and genetic improvement, breeding strategies to improve milk productivity, production systems and breeding policies for genetic improvement, application of biotechnological tools for conservation and improving of animal genetic resources, bioinformatics and genome analysis in conservation, heat stress management etc. The contributors to this book deserve special thanks as it is only because of their valuable contributions due to which publication of this book could be possible. The contents of the book are as per the material provided by the contributors and the editors shall not be responsible for any controversy. The editors duly acknowledge the assistance provided by Shri Shailendra Singh, Laboratory Technician in the department of Animal Genetics and Breeding for compilation of this book.