cuanto a la conservación y la mejora ambos modelos necesitán ser mejorados para conseguir un programa de éxito.

Lesser Known Strains 216-234 Evaluation of Breeds 235-290 Breed Improvement Programmes 291-317 Strategies for Conservation 318-333 References 334-350 Appendices 351-370 index 371-382 2 ANIMAL GENETIC RESOURCES OF INDIA-CATTLE AND BUFFALO rearing. Investment in this sector can bring substantial prosperity to rural areas. The Government of India is providing Rs 4,000 million for animal sector annually but 90% of the amount is used for the salary of the staff. Cattle and buffaloes are the most preponderant species among all livestock in India and they account for over 75% of the total output value of the livestock sector. In 1996 among all the farm produce, milk emerged as the single largest contributor to Indian agriculture, both in quantity and value terms. Cattle and buffaloes generated output valued at Rs 295 billion in milk, Rs 31 billion in work/draught, Rs 43 billion in dung and some Rs 40 billion in meat, hides and offal out.of a total output value of Rs 470 billion for all livestock produce in 1991 (Project Report, 1997). In 1992 the country had 204 million cattle and 83.5 million buffaloes registering a growth of nearly 32% over the 1951 population in the case of cattle and almost doubling in the case of buffa¬ loes. The annual growth between 1987 and 1992 was 0.48% in cattle and 1.91% in buffaloes. The radical changes within the cattle population over the last two decades indicate a shift in the priority of the farming community from production of work animals to milch animals. The proportion of females in the population increased steadily with 1972 as the turning point. Between 1972 and 1982 the number of working males in the cattle population declined sharply (by 12 million); among females the proportion of adult females increased (63% in native and 61% in crossbreds). There was a gradual but steady decline in the proportion of native cows and phenomenal growth in that of crossbred cows. Crossbreds increased from 8.80 million in 1982 to 11.59 million in 1987 (+31.70%) and to 15.22 million (+31.32%) in 1992. Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Kerala and Punjab were the states with large number of crossbreds, and together they accounted for nearly 65% in the country in 1992. Northern region has a considerable population of crossbreds (40%), followed by southern region (34%) and western region (15%). Eastern region has traditional rainfed agriculture and is mainly dependent on draught animals for draught power. It has the highest proportion of na¬ tive cows and lowest of crossbreds (11%). Increase in buffalo population, particularly after 1970, indicates the preference of farmers and dairy industry for buffalo milk. Buffalo milk fetches higher price than cow milk. The percentage of female buffaloes steadily improved from 72 in 1961 to over 80 in 1991. Among them 64% were adults. The Indian sub-continent occupies a pre-eminent position in so far as its animal genetic resources are concerned. It is endowed with a veritable gold mine of farm animals and poultry. Animal germplasm of economic utility inclu...

SummaryA survey on Garole sheep was carried out in the breeding tract for breed characterization. Garole sheep are distributed in the Sundarban region of West Bengal in India. It is a small-sized breed known for its prolificacy and adaptation to the saline marshy land of the Sundarban region. It is believed that these sheep contributed to the prolificacy gene in Booroola Merino sheep of Australia. The breeding tract of Garole sheep falls under the Coastal Saline Zone of West Bengal and the climate of this region is hot and humid. The population of Garole sheep was 206 720 in 1994–1995. This breed is maintained by marginal farmers and landless labourers. Flocks are stationary and average flock size ranges from three to five. They graze on rice fallow land and natural grass cover on the roadsides and water channels. Garole sheep have the ability to graze in knee deep conditions in marshy land. Their colour is generally white. Some animals of black or brown colour are also seen. The male is generally horned and females are polled. They have three distinct types of ears; small, medium and long. Average adult weights in male and females are 15 and 12 kg, respectively. Twin and triplet births are common. The Garole sheep are reared for mutton production. Farmers generally do not shear wool. Fleece is of a coarse quality and is used as bedding material.

SUMMARYBhadawari buffaloes are reputed for high milk fat and are found in the Agra & Etawah districts of Uttar Pradesh and the Bhind & Morena districts of Madhya Pradesh. Information on the status, management practices, morphological characteristics, body measurements and performance of the Bhadawari breed were recorded from its breeding tract. Animals true to the breed are copper in colour and have a white ring on the lower side of the neck. The population of this breed is declining at a fast pace and efforts are needed for its conservation. Strategies for its improvement and conservation are also discussed.

SummaryThe breeding tract of Kathiawari horses is the Saurashtra region of Gujrat, comprising of the Rajkot, Bhavnagar, Surendranagar, Junagarh and Amreli districts. Kathiawari horses are reared for carting, riding, sports and transportation. The breed is closely related with the Marwari breed of Rajasthan. The most predominant body colour is chestnut in Kathiawari horses and black in Marwari horses. The capital nags of the Kathiawari breed are from 14 to 14.5 HH, sound, sure footed and hardy, fast and decidedly good looking. The herd size at farmer level varied from 1 to 4. In the study an attempt has been made to note the physical characteristics and management practices for rearing these horses in the breeding tract. Body measurement of Kathiawari and Marwari horses were recorded. It was observed that Kathiawari horses had a smaller body, shorter height, smaller heart girth, ears and face than the Marwari horses. The performance of the Kathiawari breed under intensive management was studied. The average age at first fertile service, and at first foaling, herd life, total foals during lifetime, gestation period, service period and foaling interval were 1 658±79 days, 1 989±80 days, 6 499±650 days, 4.93±0.52 foals, 333.58±1.76 days, 257.23±46.49 days and 597.76±49.70 days, respectively.