Conservation for Effective Management of AnGR in India

Abstract

Livestock sector forms an important livelihood activity for most of the farmers, supporting agriculture in the form of critical inputs, contributing to the health and nutrition of the household, supplementing incomes, offering employment opportunities, and finally being a dependable “bank on hooves” in times of need. India has vast Animal Genetic Resources (AnGR), which play a vital role in improving the socio-economic conditions of rural masses. AnGR is also of significant social and cultural importance, supplementing family incomes and generating gainful employment in the rural sector, particularly among the landless, small, marginal farmers and women. Global demand for livestock products is expected to double by 2050, mainly due to improvement in the worldwide standard of living. Meanwhile, extensive livestock production systems are being fast replaced with intensive and industrial production system due to change in land use, higher demand of livestock product and more and more keepers shifting to high producing improved breeds. The loss of a breed means the loss of a livelihood strategy and loss of indigenous knowledge. It also emphasizes the need for the active involvement of indigenous communities and the role of local knowledge and institutions in conservation.