Int.J.Curr.Microbiol.App.Sci (2021) 10(03): 921-926

International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 10 Number 03 (2021) Journal homepage: http://www.ijcmas.com

Original Research Article https://doi.org/10.20546/ijcmas.2021.1003.116

Bargur Cattle: An Indigenous Germplasm from the Erode District of

K. Jaisuriyan, A. Nisha* and J. Paul Mansingh

VIT School of Agricultural Innovations and Advanced Learning (VAIAL), Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, India

*Corresponding author

ABSTRACT

K e yw or ds The breeding policy of nation as well as different states started giving emphasis to the

Bargur breed, conservation of the indigenous breeds. So, it is the need of the hour to understand the Indigenous , significance of these breeds. Hence, this study was purposively conducted in the Erode Farmers , district of the Tamil Nadu, which is the home tract of Bargur, an indigenous breed.

Conservation The area was selected purposively and the data was collected by direct interview with

the field professionals and indigenous people using a semistructured interview

Article Info schedule. The study also relies on secondary sources including a wider range of

literature given at various levels for its completeness and comprehensiveness. The Accepted: study revealed different characteristics, management practices and conservation 10 February 2021 strategies adopted for the Bargur breed. The study helps to understand the role of the Available Online: breed in eco system stability and thus the importance of the breed conservation. 10 March 2021

Introduction census report is that the sharp increasing trends of crossbred cattle and the decline of The civilization, history, and growth of a the indigenous cattle population due to the developing nation like India truly reveal the existed breeding policy. significance of agriculture in it. Agriculture adds to 17.76 % of the country's GDP, where Tamil Nadu contributes 4.56% to the the contribution of the animal husbandry country's total livestock population, 4.39% of sector is 4.11% and 25.6% of total the country's milk production, and 7.88% to Agriculture GDP (Statistics, GOI, Ali 2007). meat production (Animal Husbandry Policy India is one among the 12 mega diversity Note-2020). According to the latest livestock countries in the world with a total Livestock census, the livestock population of Tamil population is 535.78 million showing an Nadu is 24,500,621 in which total female increase of 4.6% over 19th Livestock Census cattle population is 92, 224, 59. And the (GoI, 2019, Srivastava, 2019 and Islam, indigenous cattle population is 1609360 (GoI, 2016). One of the salient findings of the 2019).

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In recent times, drastic changes have Geographical location happened in livestock management due to the increased specialization and mechanization. A gorgeous village in the hill ranges of the Due to the strong focus and high demands on Eastern Ghats in the north corner of Erode high yielders with catering ecosystem district called Bargur is the native (origin) of services, there happened a tail off in the this breed, 70kms from Erode and 68 km from indigenous breeds. The genetic diversity and Kollegal of Karnataka. These areas receive a the cultural significance of the local breeds to considerable amount of rainfall during both its indigenous people have not been taken into the south-west and north-east monsoon and account (Marsoner et al., 2018). India has 43 the dry season is from February to June. registered indigenous native cattle breeds Bargur comes under the forest division of which are well adapted to the agro-climatic Anthiyur taluk includes nearly 33 tribal scenario of the country (Srivastava, 2019). villages such as Bargur, Thurusanampalayam, Oosimalai, Thattakarai, Thamaraikkarai, In this background, this literature reviews the Eeratti, Devarmalai, Madam, Onthanai, significant role and importance of the Bargur Thamratti, Thalakkarai, Maniyachi, osoor, cattle, indigenous germplasm of Tamil Nadu. Sengulam, Kongadai, Bejjilipalayam, Bejjilitty, Kargegandi, etc. (P. Ganapathi et Materials and Methods al., 2009) (Fig. 1 and 3)

The method of data collection includes a Uniqueness of the breed direct interview with the field professionals, indigenous people using a semistructured It is a hill breed with compact, strong and interview schedule. The study relies on stumpy body. Adult male weighs 300kgs and secondary sources including a wider range of female of 250kgs. These cattle are red or literature given at various levels for its black (rare) in color with white patches completeness and comprehensiveness. For concentrated in the whole body. It has this purpose, the relevant information from compact body which enhances walking for the available credible sources was organized. long distances (Vivekanandan and Alaguma, 2013). Results and Discussion The main difference from other breeds is it Breed and characteristics has a well-developed sharp horn, mobbing power to find ways in dense forests and timid Tamil Nadu has its own identity in rearing in nature. It is too alert while grazing in cattle and praising them through festivals like forests as it performs free grazing in forests Jallikattu. Many Sangam Literatures of Tamil areas. It is highly resistance to diseases as it language describe the value and status of feeds on green in forests. cattle in the society. Likewise, the breed is one of the indigenous Draught It usually travels in herds for a long distance breeds of Tamil Nadu. A traditional tribal even for a whole day. It is mainly village named Bargur is the origin of this concentrated in the areas of Bargur forests, cattle breed which is famous for sandalwood. some villages of Anthiyur, some rural areas of It is an old, drought and hill breed cattle Chamrajnagar district of Karnataka and which is reared by an old Tribal community Kolathur region of Salem district which is of Bargur (Ganapathi et al., 2009). suitable for all climates (Fig. 2).

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Fig.1 Geographical location of the breed

Fig.2 Bargur breed

Fig.3 Bargur Cattle Research Station

Breeding peculiarities and Management 2 years. It gives 1.5-3lts of milk per day. As it practices grazes in free ranges, cattle are let in dense forests from morning and allowed for grazing The life span is approximately 20 years which until sunset. As it is highly resistance to includes 8-12 calvings. It gives 700-800kgs of disease, no major diseases are seen among milk per calving as other indigenous breeds these cattle. Drought is the major problem in give. It has a normal gestation period of 9 the Bargur region as it not receives monsoon months (270+/-5) with a calving interval of 1- rains timely. Because of that, cattle death was

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Int.J.Curr.Microbiol.App.Sci (2021) 10(03): 921-926 recorded during 2012-2015. In addition to Farming community grazing, Dry fodders are provided. Rather than that, Green fodder (15-20kgs), dry(2- The region is at the Tamil Nadu-Karnataka 3kgs), concentrated feed(1kg) per day, per a Border. speaking Lingayat single cow is recommended. These cattle are Community (Lingaayathaar) is dominant over adopted for Forest ecosystem and not stall the Bargur society which is the major feeds. This performs Zero input grazing community division of Chamrajnagar District means no cost is involved in feeding cattle, of Karnataka. These people worship lord which states that the management practices of Madheswara located at Mala Madheswara this breed are easier than other (Kavitha et al., Hills of Kollegaljilla of Chamrajnagar 2019). District. They used to donate their yield-prose millet called ‘Baragu’ (varagu in Tamil). It is Marketing believed that Lord Madheswara protect their belongings and the nature resources of their Marketing facilities and transportation are surroundings. So, their locality is named as poor because the Bargur area is away from all Bargur. They are pure vegetarians and the main cities. Lack of awareness among the practices tradition way of living, doing people and poor storage facilities reduce the agricultural practices and rearing of cattle at marketing capacity of yield products. Surabi, all (Kavitha et al., 2019). an NGO working at Thamaraikkarai (headquarters- Gobichettipalayam), buys milk Traditional practices from the local breeders and paying the way for a better marketing facility. Bargur cattle is the recognized native draught breed next to . It is locally Reproduction called as Semmarai. It is said to be a semi- wild breed remain penned in forest. Grazing By the Tamil Nadu Bovine Breeding Act is scheduled according to the cultivation times 2019, crossbreeding of native and indigenous of the locality. The cattle are let in dense cattle breeds is prohibited. So, no forests for grazing in the month of August crossbreeding is performed. Natural service is when the southwest monsoon reaches its allowed in the ratio of 1:20. The healthy, peak. Then during the month of January/ active bulls with good bone density and legs February, they are used for manuring in the are selected for mating. (Kavitha et al., 2019). agriculture fields as summer onsets. Streams Rather than that, artificial insemination (AI) is and springs are the main source of water. also practiced at the veterinary centers using ‘Boli’ a planned artificial water resource the semen of same breed. constructed and permitted by the British Government annually but later restricted by Utility the Forest Department of Tamil Nadu. (Kavitha et al., 2019) also acts as source of Rather than milking, cattle are used for water. various agricultural practices like ploughing etc. The dung and urine is mainly used for Culling is performed and they are sold during manuring as most of the local people perform the Saturday cattle fair at Anthiyur or during organic farming. The main crops raised in the Gurunathaswamy Festival. Horse and these hamlets are Ragi, Cumbu, Pulses like Cattle Fair organized every year during the Black gram, Green gram etc. month of August since the period of Tippu

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Sultan- King of Mysuru in onset of Grams as Integrated Cattle Development Gurunathaswamy Temple Festival called as Centres is notable and are the needs of the AadiNombi by the locals traditionally. hour.

Conservation References

Different conservations strategies have Ali, J. 2007Livestock sector development and adopted which includes the Bargur Cattle implications for rural poverty Research Station- Bargur established by alleviation in IndiaLivestock Research Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences for Rural Development, 19 (2). University. The main reasons for declining Ganapathi, P., Kumar, V. and Rajesh, N.V population are introduction of mechanization 2013. Production and reproduction in agriculture and drought. Most of the areas performance of endangered Bargur fall under rainfed condition, so inadequate cattle under the field condition in Tamil water for feeding animals was the major Nadu. Internat. J. Food, Agric. &Veteri. problem in late 2010 to 2014 which was the Sci., 3: 207-209. reason for declining population. The total GoI. 2019. Retrieved from: population was merely 1 lakh during 1970’s http://dahd.gov.in/animal-husbandry- but it reduced to just six thousand statistics approximately during the 19th cattle census. Gov. of Tamil Nadu.Animal Husbandry, The enumeration revealed that totally 2529 Dairying and Fisheries Department animals are present includes 1109 females Animal Husbandry Policy Note 2020- and found to be an endangered (Ganapathi et 2021.Retrieved from; al., 2009) which led to the establishment of a https://cms.tn.gov.in/sites/default/files/d research station called Bargur Cattle Research ocuments/ah_e_pn_2020_21.pdf Station (BCRS) under the veterinary Islam, M.M., Anjum, S., Modi, R.J., and department of Tamil Nadu. By the effort of Wadhwani, K.N 2016. Scenario of BCRS, the population is doubled during the livestock and poultry in india and their 20th cattle census (12 thousand cattle). The contribution to national economy. main aspect and motto of BCRS is International Journal of Science, conservation of the Bargur breed. Environment and Technology, 5(3): 956 – 965. In conclusions even though the breed is well Kavithaa, N.V., Vimal Rajkumar, and known for its survival and adaptation in local Mathialagan, P 2019A Social Assay on climatic regions, the survivability of the breed Bargur Cattle Farming System in Tamil for the farmer’s financial constraints need to Nadu, International Journal of be studied in depth. There should be Livestock Research, 9(8), 154-163. participatory approach programs from local Marsoner, T., Vigl, L.E., Manck, F., Jaritz, people, breeders, NGO’s, local body G., Tappeiner, U., and Tasser, E.2018 institutions, research organisations with Indigenous livestock breeds as government support to conserve them in their indicators for cultural ecosystem original tracts. A holistic approach need to be services: A spatial analysis within the initiated to cover up the trending declines of Alpine Space. Ecological Indicators, indigenous breed population, in which the (94) 2; 55-63. central Government implemented Rashtriya Ministry of Statistics, Programme Gokul Mission for setting up of 21 Gokul Implementation, 2021. Available at:

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http://mospi.nic.in/. Constraints and Creating Awareness in Srivastava, A. K., Patel, J. B., Ankuya, K. J., preventing erosion of Livestock Chauhan, H. D., Pawar, M. M. and Diversity in Tamil Nadu. NABARD Gupta, J. P. 2019.Conservation of Supported Project Report towards Indigenous Cattle Breeds. Journal of Capacity Building of Livestock Keepers Animal Research, 9(1), 1-12. for Conserving 10 Local Breeds in Vivekanandan, P and Alagumalai, V 2013. Tamil Nadu. Community Conservation of local livestock breeds- Understanding

How to cite this article:

Jaisuriyan, K., A. Nisha and Paul Mansingh, J. 2021. Bargur Cattle: An Indigenous Germplasm from the Erode District of Tamil Nadu. Int.J.Curr.Microbiol.App.Sci. 10(03): 921-926. doi: https://doi.org/10.20546/ijcmas.2021.1003.116

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