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 National Animal Breeding and Genetic Research Centre 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
National Animal Breeding and Genetic Research Centre is one among the five technical cemtres of National Animal Science Research Institute (NASRI) under the Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC). The centre 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 centre, apart from doing laboratory based out-reach research at Khumaltar, is now conducting breeding research in different agricultural research stations (ARS), commodity programmes and directorate of agricultural research (DoRA) of NARC as well as at farmers’ field. The laboratory-based works are focused to support the different commodities to make their programme effective and productive.
The centre is situated in Khumaltar, Satdobato, Lalitpur, District (South of Kathmandu on the way to Godawari) at an altitude of 1360 masl. The centre 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 centre 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
- Mr. Sagar Poudel, Senior Scientist(S-4)/Chief
- Mr. Saroj Sapkota, Scientist
- Mr. D.B. Gurung, Technical Officer
- Mr. Bhoj Raj Pokhrel, Technical Officer
Contact Address
National Animal Breeding and Genetics Research Centre
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
Website: http://www.narc.gov.np for detail go to links or www.animalbreeding-narc.gov.np