INDIGENOUS CATTLE AS PILLARS OF INDIA’S DAIRY HERITAGE AND SUSTAINABLE FUTURE: A REVIEW
Dr. Siddalingaswamy Hiremath
Associate Professor, Dept of Animal Genetics & Breeding,
Veterinary College (KVAFSU), GADAG- 582 101, Karnataka
(E-mail: sidduvetphd@gmail.com)
Abstract: This chapter highlights the critical role of indigenous cattle in shaping India’s dairy heritage and advancing sustainable agriculture. It emphasizes the unique traits of native breeds—such as resilience to climate stress, disease resistance, and low input requirements—that make them well-suited for eco-friendly dairy practices. By examining their cultural, economic, and ecological significance, the chapter draws attention for the urgent need for conservation, policy support, and integration of traditional knowledge with modern innovations for ensuring sustainable and self-reliant dairy future for India.
(Key words: Indigenous cattle breeds, Conservation, Cultural value, Heritage, Ecological sustainability, Economic value.)
Native cattle breeds from India have long been essential to traditional agriculture, dairy production, and rural lives. Cattle and India have a long and enduring association. They were domesticated early in human society and have been used as objects of worship and mythology throughout history. Cattle were used in India as early as 5000 years ago, according to the excavations at Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa. The cow is a representation of riches, power, plenty, and selfless giving in Hinduism. According to the Mahabharata, they are treated with the same respect as “one’s mother” because of the milk they produce. They appear in several Puranic and Vedic stories. The god Krishna was named Govinda (protector of the cows) after coming from a family that raised cows. In Hindu mythology, Lord Shiva also rides a bull called Nandi. A few bullocks, which were used as draught animals, and a few cows, which provided a consistent supply of milk, were possessed by almost every household in ancient India. (Balakrishnan and Shukla, 2018).
The importance of these breeds is resurfacing in light of contemporary issues like climate change, input-intensive farming, and the requirement for sustainable food systems. The genetic, economic, ecological, and cultural significance of native cattle is examined in this review, along with their critical role in advancing inclusive and sustainable dairy development in India.
Genetic and Productive Potential
India possesses one of the world’s richest livestock biodiversity resources, with 53 recognized indigenous cattle breeds adapted to a wide range of agro-climatic conditions. These breeds have been systematically developed over generations by farmers, often through traditional breeding practices aligned with local environmental conditions.
The flat forehead, drooping ears, fatty hump on the shoulders, and huge dewlap are traits of indigenous cattle. Indigenous cattle are characterized by their genetic robustness and adaptability to heat, drought, and tropical diseases. While their average milk yield is lower compared to exotic breeds, their lactation persistency, longevity, and reproductive efficiency make them suitable for sustainable dairying.
Milk production is one of the most important traits of economic value of a cow. The milk and milk products from cows reared under grazing system are believed to be healthier and hence have high demand compared to milk from cows reared in the non-grazing system. In Malnad Gidda breed of cattle, the grazing cows showed abundance of various carbohydrates, amino acids, nucleosides and vitamin derivatives (Ashokan et al, 2021). Sahiwal cattle excelled among the indigenous breeds regarding production with a milk yield of 2200 kg (with 4.5 % fat); thus, having played a major role in different breed improvement programmes and the development of synthetic breeds in India (Singh et al, 2017). The Project Directorate on Cattle (PDC) had developed a crossbred named ‘Frieswal’, producing a milk yield of 4000 kg (with 4 % fat) by crossing Sahiwal with Holstein Friesian. Another breed of importance is Gir cattle originating from Gujarat state and producing mean milk yield of 2100 kg (with 4.4 % fat). Red Sindhi is of much demand in many countries mainly due to its adaptability and has been brought into 33 countries.
Ecological and Economic Sustainability
The world’s largest and most diverse cattle genetic resources are found in India, one of the world’s most bio diverse nations. South Asia, specifically the Indian subcontinent, is the origin of domestic cattle known as indigenous cattle (Bos indicus), also referred to as humped cattle or indicus cattle. Their flat forehead, drooping ears, fatty hump on the shoulders and significant dewlap are characteristics. Indigenous breeds have certain traits that make them ideally adapted to the tropical climate, such as tolerance to heat, resistance to ticks and parasites, resistance to disease, ease of calving, resistance to drought and tolerance to bloat. It is well established that environmental heat stress has a negative effect on dairy animals’ milk production, fertility, feed intake and growth rate. Because the HSP70 gene family in cattle has a unique genetic polymorphism that may be linked to controlling gene expression or protein function in response to temperature stress, the Bos indicus breeds of cattle are more thermotolerant than the Bos taurus varieties (Rehman et al., 2020; Hansen, 2020)
Indigenous cattle are renowned for their amazing capacity for endurance under hot tropical climates, resilience to tropical diseases and low maintenance cost. The various indigenous breeds of agricultural animals are mostly the consequence of evolutionary processes. Because milk contains the A2 allele, which is thought to be beneficial for human health, indigenous breeds have recently gained relevance (Fernández-Rico et al., 2022). They are a crucial component in agriculture. Due to haphazard breeding and the introduction of exotic germplasm through cross-breeding, many breeds are now vulnerable to rapid genetic deterioration and dilution (Mursyidin et al., 2022).
Native cattle contribute significantly to society and the economy in a variety of ways, including social security, food security, work, income, draught and dung production. Families, especially those without access to land, who possess animals, are in a better position than those who do not. Animals are frequently given as wedding gifts in many regions of the nation. Animal rearing is an element of Indian culture. Animals are employed for a variety of social and religious purposes. During numerous religious ceremonies, bulls and cows are worshipped. Many pet owners grow attached to their creatures (Das et al., 2020). For many families in India, especially the resource-poor ones that keep few heads of animals, cattle is a source of supplemental income. The sale of milk from cows will give livestock farmers a consistent income. Cattles as sources of revenue in times of need to cover expenses like marriages, medical care for sick people, child care, home repairs, etc. The animals also act as moving banks and assets that give the owners financial security (Singh et al., 2020).
Cultural Significance, Knowledge Systems & Health perspectives
In Indian society, cattle are revered and respected. The cow is not just a source of economic value, but also holds spiritual and cultural significance. Festivals, rituals, and rural customs often include indigenous cattle, reflecting their deep-rooted presence in daily life. Their conservation, therefore, is not merely a scientific task but a cultural responsibility as well.
Milk of indigenous cattle maintained only on grazing had a more favorable nutrient profile than the cows maintained under an intensive system of management (Sharma et al., 2018; 2018a). The saturated fatty acids (SFA) proportion was lower (61.40%) mainly due to the medium-chain FA group (15.1%). The milk was enriched in total n-3 fatty acids and total unsaturated fatty acids (UFA, 38.6%) including MUFA (31.4%) and PUFA (7.2%). The n-6/n-3 ratio (2.7) and Atherogenic index (33.9) were significantly lower in grazing milk. Concentrations of minerals (Zn, Fe, P, Cu) and all the vitamins except vitamin B5 were significantly higher (P <0.05) than in the cattle under intensive management. Vitamin A, C, E, and β-carotene were more than double. Being antioxidants, these are nutritionally desirable to reduce oxidative stress. Moreover, the yellow tint of cheese and butter caused by carotenoids of milk fat is an attractive attribute for consumers. It is an indicator that the product has originated from cows thriving on pasture diets. Higher milk productivity was never the reason why Indian zebu cows (Bos indicus) were revered in India as it is the quality of milk that has been the talk of folklore. It is possible, that almost total pasture feeding in ancient times was responsible for the proclaimed health-promoting qualities of the milk. Organic milk production with particular emphasis on grazing is gaining momentum throughout the world which suggests a promising future for indigenous cows maintained on grazing.
Indigenous knowledge systems around cattle management, herbal remedies, and ethno-veterinary practices offer valuable insights for sustainable livestock management. The integration of traditional wisdom with modern science—particularly in rural extension, veterinary services, and farmer training—can bridge knowledge gaps and improve on-farm productivity.
Conservation and Policy Perspectives
Mechanization of agriculture and issues with dry animal selling are the main factors contributing to the population fall of indigenous cattle. In addition, a significant shift in cattle breeding policy in the past toward crossbreeding has led the farmers to raise more crossbred animals as there are economic considerations favoring buffaloes and crossbred cattle as dairy animals. The farmers cannot support the maintenance of animals during the dry season because they must compete with other milch animals like Murrah buffaloes and crossbred cattle. The number of indigenous cattle has decreased for a variety of causes, including low productivity, short lactation periods and a lack of progeny tested bulls. Agriculture’s mechanisation has made the issue even worse. Another reason for the decline in the number of indigenous breeds is a drop in the extent of land holdings (Soumya et al., 2022).
Indigenous cattle must be saved because they are a breed that thrives in tropical climates and on the plains of the Indo- Gangatic and can be kept on a low input, medium output basis. Native cattle are renowned for their ability to withstand extreme heat and their resistance to illnesses including trypanosomiasis, babesiosis and theileriosis (Nyamushamba et al., 2017; Itenge et al., 2020). The indigenous cattle may once again play a significant role in the field activities of small farmers in the future, in addition to producing nutritious milk for the family, as land holdings are decreasing day by day. To meet the need of future generations, concerted efforts are needed to conserve and grow indigenous cattle. With the formation of the National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR) Karnal in 1984 under the ICAR, the efforts in this area in India were launched (Pathak et al., 2020). The conservation of indigenous breeds of cattle becomes even more important in terms of global warming and increasing climate change. Under the Central Herd Registration Scheme, the lactation yield of indigenous breeds has been recorded and breeds like Gir (3038–3263 kg), Ongole (2000–2544 kg) and Hariana (1671–4015 kg) were noted to be high yielders (K Mandi et al, 2018). Even under low input production system, Malnad Gidda, dwarf cattle with a body weight of around 80–120 kg was found to produce 3–4 kg of milk per day with regular calving. Recognising this genetic potential for high milk production, recently, several measures have been initiated by both state and central governments to increase the productivity of milch animals.
There are several measures taken up by the Government of India and different state governments for conserving indigenous breeds of cattle under threat. The following pro grammes have been promoted by the Government of India for supplementing the efforts put forward by the state governments for the conservation of indigenous cattle breeds: Rastriya Gokul Mission and National Dairy Plan I. The Rastriya Gokul Mission has been conceived as a part of National Programme for Bovine Breeding and Dairy Development (2012–2017) and the National Dairy Plan was a World Bank assisted project running in 18 states covering 12 indigenous breeds of cattle and buffaloes. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has established a nodal agency (National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources-NBAGR) for undertaking work on identification, evaluation, characterization, and conservation of livestock resources in India. NBAGR is providing technical inputs and incentives to farmers and breeders of indigenous cattle in their respective breeding tracts under a Net Work Programme being implemented through the state agricultural and veterinary universities, the state animal husbandry departments, ICAR and NGOs. In addition, a National Animal Gene Bank has been established wherein more than 1,20,000 cryopreserved doses of semen from Punganur, Amrith Mahal, Hariana, Gir, Kangayam, Dangi, Sahiwal, Tharparkar, Red Sindhi and Krishna Valley breeds are maintained (Joshi et al, 2013). Also, large number of gaushalas and pinjrapoles are engaged in the maintenance, breed improvement and conservation of indigenous cattle breeds.
Also, there is a need to employ sustainable methods of livestock production and health for the conservation of different breeds of indigenous cattle. Numerous biotechnology-based interventions are to be used for the identification of suitable local breeds and their conservation and sustainable management.
Challenges and the Way Forward
- Changes in composition and structure of the population, scarcity of feed resources for livestock, in general, and cattle in particular, reduction in common property resources for grazing cattle, and the challenges imposed by climate change and global warming add to the problems of sustainable livestock production, especially in the tropical countries. In this regard, the issue regarding the utility of the indigenous cattle in their respective native breeding tract and then the utilisation in other agro-ecological regions to which they are adapted must be addressed. In this connection, one of the most important research needs is the maintenance of indigenous cattle genetic diversity.
- Farmers should be able to adapt to the various environmental stressors by adopting mixed crop- livestock production systems and by decreasing the stocking rate by means of keeping high producing indigenous animals.
- Future research should focus on the identification of climate resilient breeds of indigenous cattle that are heat tolerant and can sustain environmental issues in many regions.
- It is imperative that selective breeding for genetic improvement should be adopted in well-defined indigenous breeds of cattle, whereas, crossbreeding with temperate cattle should be limited to regions where such indigenous cattle do not exist.
- Grading up of non-descript cattle should be carried with superior well- defined indigenous breeds. Also, there is an urgent need for research for the development of genetic resistance and disease tolerance and to formulate disease control strategies to control the problems of emerging and re-emerging diseases.
- The various phenotypic and genetic markers should be used for identifying indigenous cattle breeds with superior thermo-tolerance with improved productivity and ability to survive in a particular environment.
- Suitable breeding plans for conservation and long-term/continuous genetic improvement of indigenous breeds need to be undertaken in their native breeding tracts.
- Acting within the native breeding tract through the active participation of owners and other stakeholders would be the best strategy to conserve indigenous cattle.
Conclusion
It is necessary to understand that India’s indigenous cattle breeds are not merely remnants of a pastoral past, they are vital assets to our agricultural present and plays a important role in creating resilient, sustainable future. Indigenous cattle are rooted in centuries of cultural, ecological, and economic significance, these breeds possess unique traits such as disease resistance, climate adaptability, and lower maintenance requirements that align perfectly with the goals of sustainable dairy farming. As global concerns grow around food security, biodiversity loss, and climate change, the conservation and promotion of indigenous cattle gained lot of importance and assume renewed urgency.
Now, reviving and investing in these breeds is not just about preserving heritage; it is about empowering rural livelihoods, enhancing nutritional security, and reinforcing environmentally responsible agricultural practices. For that to achieve, various phenotypic and genetic markers should be used for identifying indigenous cattle breeds with superior thermo-tolerance with improved productivity and ability to survive in a particular environment. Suitable breeding plans for conservation and long-term/continuous genetic improvement of indigenous breeds need to be undertaken in their native breeding tracts.
Thus, India can reposition its native cattle as central figures in a self-reliant dairy economy by integrating scientific advancements with traditional wisdom. Safeguarding these bovine treasures today will ensure a more balanced and promising tomorrow.
References and Further Readings
Ashokan M, et al., Differences in milk metabolites in Malnad Gidda (Bos indicus) cows reared under pasture-based feeding system, Nat. Sci. Rep. 11 (2021) 2831, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-82412-z.
Das, A.R.R. and Patnaik, N. (2020). Present scenario and role of livestock sector in rural economy of India: A review. International Journal of Livestock Research. 10(11): 23 30. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.5455/ijlr.20200701.
Fernández-Rico, S., Mondragón, A.D.C., López-Santamarina, A., Cardelle-Cobas, A., Regal, P., Lamas, A. and Miranda, J.M. (2022). A2 milk: New perspectives for food technology and human health. Foods. 11(16): 2387. doi: 10.3390/ Foods11162387.
Hansen, P.J. (2020). Prospects for gene introgression or gene editing as a strategy for reduction of the impact of heat stress on production and reproduction in cattle. Theriogenology. 154: 190-202.
Itenge, T.O., Haikukutu, L. and Lyaku, J.R. (2020). The bovine major histocompatibility complex and its role in tick- and tick-borne disease resistance and immune responsiveness in Bos indicus and their crosses with bos taurus in sub–Saharan Africa: A review. Welwitschia International Journal of Agricultural Sciences. 2: 67-80.
Joshi BK, Conservation and sustainable management of farm animal genetic resources of India, in: R.K. Pundir, S.K. Niranjan, R. Behl (Eds.), Sustainable Utilization of Indigenous Animal Genetic Resources of India, National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources, Karnal, Haryana, India, 2013, p. 208.
Mursyidin, D.H., Makruf, M.I. and Noor, A. (2022). Molecular diversity of exotic durian (Durio spp.) germplasm: A case study of Kalimantan, Indonesia. Journal of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology. 20(1): 1-13.
- Mandi, S. Subash, M.C.A. Devi, Strategies for conservation and improvement of indigenous cattle breeds in Gaushalas, Res. J. Anim. Husb. Dairy Sci. 9 (1) (2018) 20–25.
Nyamushamba, G.B., Mapiye, C., Tada, O., Halimani, T.E. and Muchenje, V. (2017). Conservation of indigenous cattle genetic resources in Southern Africa’s smallholder areas: Turning threats into opportunities-A review. Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences. 30(5): 603-621. doi: 10.5713/ ajas.16.0024.
Pathak, H., Pal, S. and Mohapatra, T. (2020). Mahatma Gandhi’s vision of agriculture: Achievements of ICAR. Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi. p, 228
Rehman, S.U., Nadeem, A., Javed, M., Hassan, F.U., Luo, X., Khalid, R.B. and Liu, Q. (2020). Genomic identification, evolution and sequence analysis of the heat-shock protein gene family in buffalo. Genes. 11(11): 1388. doi.org/10.3390/genes11111388.
Singh SV, R. Devi, Y. Kumar, R. Choudhary, R.C. Upadhyay, Seasonal variation in skin temperature, blood flow and physiological functions in Zebu (Bos Indicus) and Karan Fries (Tharparkar X Holstein Friesian) cattle, Indian J. Dairy Sci. 70 (1) (2017) 96–103.
Sharma R, S Ahlawat, RAK Aggarwal, A Dua, V Sharma and MS Tantia (2018) Comparative milk metabolite profiling for exploring superiority of indigenous Indian cow milk over exotic and crossbred counterparts. J. Food Sci. Technol. 55(10): 4232-4243. doi:10.1007/s13197-018-3360-2.
Sharma R, S Ahlawat, H Sharma, RAK Aggarwal, V Sharma and MS Tantia (2018a) Variable sialic acid content in milk of Indian cattle and buffalo across different stages of lactation. J. Dairy Res. 86(1): 98-101.
Singh, K., Singh, R., Jadoun, Y.S., Bharti, D. and Kansal, S.K. (2020). International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences. (2020) 9(8): 432-436.
Soumya, N.P., Banerjee, R., Banerjee, M., Mondal, S., Babu, R. L., Hoque, M. and Agarwal, P.K. (2022). Climate Change Impact on Livestock Production. In Emerging Issues in Climate Smart Livestock Production. Academic Press. (pp. 109-14
