New Delhi | January 14, 2026 – In a significant step for the Indian dairy industry, the Government of India has officially registered two high-yielding synthetic cattle breeds, Karan Fries and Vrindavani, each capable of producing over 3,000 kg of milk during a 10-month lactation cycle, well above the average yield of indigenous breeds (1,000–2,000 kg).
These registrations, along with 14 newly recognised indigenous breeds, were announced at an event organised by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research – National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (ICAR-NBAGR). Union Minister for Agriculture, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, presented the registration certificates, bringing the country’s total number of registered livestock and poultry breeds to 246, comprising 242 indigenous and 4 synthetic breeds.
High-Yield Synthetic Breeds to Boost Dairy Productivity
The newly registered synthetic cattle breeds are the result of years of strategic crossbreeding aimed at enhancing milk productivity without compromising climate adaptability and disease resistance:
- Karan Fries: Developed by the National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI), Karnal, Haryana, this breed is a cross between indigenous Tharparkar cows and Holstein-Friesian bulls.
- Vrindavani: Developed by ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, this composite breed blends Holstein-Friesian, Brown Swiss, and Jersey breeds with the Hariana breed, a hardy indigenous cattle known for its resilience.
These high-performance breeds are expected to contribute significantly to milk production growth, especially in regions with suitable infrastructure and fodder availability.
Emphasis on Conservation Amid Climate Challenges
Minister Chouhan highlighted the dual focus of India’s livestock policy: advancing breed development while preserving indigenous livestock diversity as part of the nation’s Viksit Bharat vision. He stressed that both livestock and poultry will play a pivotal role in rural prosperity and agricultural resilience.
DrM.L. Jat, Director General of ICAR, underscored the urgency of conserving indigenous genetic resources in the context of climate change, noting that local breeds possess valuable traits that could be crucial for future sustainability.
14 New Indigenous Breeds Recognised
Among the newly recognised indigenous breeds are:
- Cattle: Medini (Jharkhand), Rohikhandi (Uttar Pradesh)
- Buffalo: Melghati (Maharashtra)
- Goats: Palamu (Jharkhand), UdUdaipurUttarakhand)
- Sheep: Avishaan, a synthetic breed from Rajasthan
- Mithun: Nagami (Nagaland)
- Poultry & Ducks: Mala Chicken, Kodo Duck (Jharkhand), Kudu Duck (Odisha), Kuttanad Duck (Kerala), Manipuri Duck (Manipur), Nagi Duck (Assam), and Rajdigheli Geese (Assam)
Supporting Data-Driven Development
The breed registration process, which typically takes 2–5 years, is essential for enabling region-specific development programmes, ensuring legal protection, and supporting the effective implementation of government schemes.
Dr Gyanendra Kumar Gaur, Assistant Director General (Animal Production and Breeding) at ICAR, noted that these synthetic breeds have strong potential to uplift India’s dairy productivity, aligning with national goals for self-sufficiency and nutritional security.
At the event, ICAR also recognised individuals and institutions with conservation awards for their work in safeguarding India’s genetic livestock heritage.
