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
Researchers
- Dr. Shree Ram Neopane, Senior Scientist, Chief of
Division
- Dr. Prakash Kumar Pokharel, Senior Scientist
- Dr. Neena Amatya Gorkhali, Scientist
- Mr. Raju Kandel, Technical Officer
- Mr. Ram Bahadur Rana, Technical Officer
- Mr. Ram Udgar Mahato, Technical Officer
Contact Address
Animal Breeding Division
National Animal Science Research Institute (NASRI)
Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC)
Khumaltar, Lalitpur
NepalP.O. Box: 1950, Kathmandu
Tel.: +977 1 5523160, 5532922, Fax: +977 1 5540511
E-mail: biodiversity@narcanbd.wlink.com.np
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