ICAR Registers 16 Indigenous Animal Breeds, Including Koppal Cattle

Koppal cattle

New Delhi, August 23, 2026: Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has registered 16 new indigenous livestock and dog breeds, marking another step towards documenting and conserving India’s diverse animal genetic resources.

Registrations were approved at the 14th meeting of the Breed Registration Committee held in New Delhi on August 7 under the chairmanship of Dr. Raghavendra Bhatta, Deputy Director General (Animal Science), ICAR.

Newly registered breeds cover nine species and are spread across 13 States and one Union Territory. The list includes four cattle breeds, one buffalo breed, two goat breeds, four sheep breeds and one each of donkey, horse/pony, pig, yak and dog.

Koppal cattle among new registrations

Karnataka figures in the latest registration through Koppal cattle, while Madgyal sheep has been registered with its home tract spanning Maharashtra and Karnataka. 16 newly registered breeds are:

• Cattle: Koppal, Mahakaushali, Periyar and Umarda
• Buffalo: Gomanchali
• Goat: Battisi and Totapuri
• Sheep: Asomi, Kow Debar, Madgyal and Seemanchali
• Donkey: Braj
• Horse/Pony: Kashmiri
• Pig: Nagal
• Yak: Sikkimese
• Dog: Kombai

ICAR said the registration process strengthens recognition and conservation of indigenous animal genetic resources and supports their sustainable utilisation. It also provides formal recognition to the livestock keepers, breeders and communities involved in maintaining these breeds.

Latest additions take India's registered animal breed count to 262, according to ICAR. The registrations are expected to contribute to conservation of genetic diversity, sustainable livestock production and greater self-reliance in the livestock sector.

For Karnataka, the recognition of Koppal cattle and the inclusion of Madgyal sheep is significant because formal breed registration can help document locally adapted genetic resources and strengthen efforts for their conservation and sustainable development.

ICAR has described the broader initiative as part of efforts to conserve India's animal genetic resources and support sustainable use of indigenous breeds in the context of Viksit Bharat@2047.

Keywords

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