Livestock Genetic Diversity
On-farm conservation and participatory breed stewardship of indigenous cattle, goats, and poultry in Maharashtra, strengthening breeder associations, pedigree registration, and veterinary care in pastoral habitats.
Dangi, Lal Kandhari, Gaolao Cattle; Sangamneri & Berari Goats; Satpudi Poultry
Indigenous livestock breeds possess high climate resilience, resistance to tropical pathogens, and exceptional ability to thrive on coarse forage. The project partnered directly with traditional pastoralists and smallholders to conduct selective breeding, deploy elite pedigree sires, run milk-recording trials, conduct preventive vaccination drives, and document the indigenous Dangi pastoralism system in the Western Ghats of Ahmednagar.
Artificial inseminations performed
Calves born from verified sires
Community veterinary & breed events
Pastoral families in intensive research
Dangi Breeders Association
At the close of Phase 1, Dangi livestock keepers formally registered the Dangi Breeders Association, governed by an 11-member promoter body representing traditional pastoral villages.
The association establishes farmer-led herd books, sets breed standards, operates decentralized semen stations with BAIF, and protects traditional grazing migratory routes in the Sahyadris.
Implementing Partners (Phase 1): BAIF Development Research Foundation • Lokpanchayat (Sangamner & Akole) • Department of Animal Husbandry, Govt. of Maharashtra
Genomic Profiling, A2 Milk Value Chains & Goat Breed Registry
Phase 2 advances indigenous livestock conservation into genomic characterisation, standardising pedigree databases on the MGBP portal, formalising certification for indigenous A2 milk and Ghee, and expanding community breeding bucks for prolific Sangamneri and Berari goat strains.
Genotyping & Sire Evaluation
Genomic screening of bulls to eliminate genetic defects and confirm indigenous purity markers for Gaolao and Lal Kandhari breeds.
Pastoralist Grazing Rights
Coordination with Forest and Animal Husbandry departments to secure seasonal migration corridors and fodder security.
Mobile Vet Tele-Clinics
Decentralized paramedical kits and mobile veterinary tracking linked to the central Maharashtra Gene Bank database.
Coordination & Scientific Oversight: Rajiv Gandhi Science & Technology Commission • IISER Pune Coordination Cell • National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR)