Animal Breeding Division
Background History
Activities relating to animal breeding started in the country in 1960/61with the initiation of artificial insemination (AI) programme to upgrade the native cattle by using the warm semen of the exotic breeds through Livestock Improvement Section. Artificial Insemination Project was established in Tripureswor in 1968/69 that helped to establish the liquid nitrogen plant in Tripureswor and the production of frozen semen started in the following years. In those days, the AI programme was restricted to Kathmandu valley. AI programme of Tripureswor was then shifted to Khumaltar and was upgraded as Animal Breeding Section under the Central Livestock Development Centre (CLDC) in 1985/86. This helped in expanding the AI activities in other districts to conduct the genetic improvement programme. During this time CLDC was under the Department of Livestock Services (DLS). The Animal Breeding Section was upgraded to Central Animal Breeding Division under National Agricultural Research and Service Centre (NARSC), Khumaltar in 1988/89. Later in 1991, NARSC has been changed to Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC) as an autonomous institution under "Nepal Agricultural Research Council Act-1991" with the prospect of having an efficient, effective and dynamic agricultural research system in the country and accordingly, the Central Animal Breeding Division was changed to Animal Breeding Division under the Council. The Council now has two major research institutes; National Agriculture Research Institute (NARI) and National Animal Science Research Institute (NASRI). Animal Breeding Division is working as one of the disciplinary division under NASRI, since its establishment.
Introduction
Animal Breeding Division is one among the five technical divisions of National Animal Science Research Institute (NASRI) under the Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC). The Division is responsible and mandated for the systematic evaluation and improvement of native genetic resources and introduced breeds of different livestock species intending to improve the livestock productivity. The Division, apart from doing laboratory based out-reach research at Khumaltar, is now conducting breeding research in different agricultural research stations (ARS), commodity programmes and regional agricultural research station (RARS) of NARC as well as at farmers’ field. The laboratory-based works are focussed to support the different commodities to make their programme effective and productive.
The Division is situated in Khumaltar, Satdobato, Lalitpur, District (South of Kathmandu on the way to Godawari) at an altitude of 1360 masl. The Division is located at 27o 40" north latitude and 85o 20" east longitude.
Mandate
Systematic Evaluation of Native and Introduced Exotic Breeds of Livestock Species Intending for Improved Productivity
Objectives
To develop a national breed performance database to facilitate the evaluation of genotype performance and identification of superior genotypes
To undertake applied genetic research in all farm animals and birds in collaboration with livestock commodity research programme and agricultural research station (ARS)
To establish and improve nucleus breeding herds of dairy animals, meat and wool producing animals and egg producing birds in collaboration with livestock commodity research programme and agricultural research station (ARS)
To conserve, maintain and improve germplasm diversity of farm animals and birds
To collaborate and support DLS (Department of Livestock Services) farms to develop " nucleus breeder farmers" to maintain line breeding
To develop improved reproduction technology appropriate to small farmers and small holders
To establish linkage through NARC with international research organizations, institutes, universities for exchange of experts and materials
To formulate national policies of genetic improvement for sustainable production system of domesticated livestock and birds
To provide leadership and coordination with DLS, IAAS (Institute of Agriculture and Animal Sciences), Nepal Academic for Science and Technology (NAST) and NGOs for research in the field of animal genetic research and breeding fields
To extend expertise and consultancy services in animal breeding technologies
To coordinate the nationals research efforts into the causes of infertility and delayed breeding in livestock
To take a leadership in the national programme for importation and testing of new and improved genetic materials including frozen semen and embryo
Programs
Genetic Improvement/Breed Development
Reproductive Physiology and Biotechnology
Genetic Resource Conservation and Utilization
Genetic Improvement/Breed Development
Under this category, the evaluation of native breeds and their improvement programme, and investigation of suitable breeds for existing agro-climatic conditions and management systems are being implemented. Studies on the identification of suitable breeds and then their development works are also carried out. List of the on-going projects of the Division under the programme is as follows;
Participatory Breeding Approach for Production of Quality Murrah Buffalo Bulls in Nepal
Participatory Breeding Approach for Improved Productivity of Khari Goat in Western and Central Development Region of Nepal
Establishment of Elite Herds of Dairy Cattle and Buffaloes
Reproductive Physiology and Biotechnology
Under this programme, studies on reproduction physiology and some of the biotechnology tools such as Heat synchronization and AI will be undertaken for improving the livestock productivity. List of the on-going projects of the Division under the programme is as follows;
Study on Production, Freezing and Insemination of Semen of Crossbred Bulls in Nepal
Establishment of Elite Herds of Dairy Cattle and Buffaloes
The diversity of animal genetic resources in the country is shrinking due to introduction of exotic blood and lack of promotion of indigenous animal germplasm (Farm Animal Genetic Resources, 1997). There may be many breeds/strains of domesticated animals and birds that need to be identified and characterized. The importance and value of the local breeds/strains has to be established and evaluated for their merit. Under this programme, activities relating to identification, characterization of breeds/strains for their further utilization and conservation are being implemented. List of the on-going projects of the Division under the programme is as follows;
Animal Genetic Resources Conservation and Improvement in Nepal
Characterization of Native Animal Genetic Resources: Terai Buffaloes
Conservation and Utilization of Rare Breeds of Indigenous Cattle, Achhami
Major Output/Achievements
Genetic Improvement/Breed Development
Jersey crossbreds (50 to 75%) are suitable for Nepalese conditions for higher milk production
Holstein-Friesian should be selected for high intensive management system
The native hill cattle blood level should not be lower than 25% to make effective use of resistant gene to parasites and diseases prevailing in the cattle farming system of Nepal
Native breeds of buffalo like Lime, Parkote and Gaddi have been identified
Khari/Hill goats have been proved to be the most productive breed of goat for hills of Nepal
Selection within the Hill/Khari goats can improve the overall productivity
Wool production of native sheep can be increased by crossbreeding with exotic breeds (Polworth, Merino and Border Leicester) of sheep
Wool obtained from crossbred sheep is not suitable for making carpet
Exotic pig breeds adapted and found productive for our conditions are Hampshire, Yorkshire, Landrace. Pakhribas black pig is suitable breed for the hills of Nepal
Angora rabbits can be successfully reared in the hilly region of Nepal
German Angora rabbits are suitable breed for our condition
Dual purpose poultry breeds (New Hampshire and Austrolorp) have been recommended for scavenging and semi intensive system
Reproductive Physiology and Biotechnology
Semen production techniques in cattle and buffaloes established
Egg Yolk Citrate (EYC), Lactose-Fructose Egg Yolk (LFEY) and TRIS diluents are equally effective for freezing the semen of cattle and buffalo
TRIS is found to be more effective in buffalo semen
Heat shynchronization protocol is established for indigenous cattle and buffaloes. They are two dose of prostaglandin hormone at 11 days apart (day 0 and at 11 day after 1st injection) to cyclic buffaloes and cattle are effective for bringing them on heat. Similarly, one dose of prostaglandin and two dose of gonadotrophin (GnRH) at 14 days apart to non-cyclic cattle and buffaloes are effective for bringing them on heat
Embryo transfer (ET) techniques in cattle established
Establishment of Elite Herds of Dairy Cattle and Buffaloes
Altogether 25 native breeds have been identified. They are Lulu, Achhami, Khaila, Terai Pahari and Yak in cattle; Lime, Parkote and Gaddi in buffaloes; Khari, Terai, Sinhal and Chyangra in goats; Lampuchhre, Kage, Baruwal and Bhyanglung in sheep; Hurrah, Chwanche and Bampudke in pigs; Sakini, Ghanti Khuile and Puwankh Ulte in chicken and Jumli horse in horse
All of these have been identified at phenotypic level while a few are characterized at chromosomal level and one at DNA level
Status of these breeds in relation to conservation determined