Mission Punganur

Mission Punganur is a state-level conservation and breeding programme launched by the Government of Andhra Pradesh to protect and propagate the Punganur cattle, a rare dwarf indigenous breed. Native to the Chittoor district, this cattle variety is recognised as one of the smallest zebuine breeds in the world. The initiative reflects a broader effort to conserve India’s indigenous livestock genetic resources through advanced reproductive technologies and targeted interventions.

Background of Punganur Cattle

The Punganur breed has long been associated with the dry, hilly regions of southern Andhra Pradesh. It is well adapted to scarce fodder conditions and thrives even on minimal nutrition, making it particularly suited to semi-arid tracts.
Key characteristics of the breed include:

• Size and stature: Cows stand at an average height of 70–90 cm and weigh between 115 and 200 kg, making them among the smallest cattle breeds globally.
• Milk yield: Though the daily yield is modest, around 3–5 litres, the milk contains exceptionally high fat content of approximately 8 per cent.
• Utility: The breed is valued for its resilience, low maintenance, and milk quality, particularly for producing ghee used in temples and religious practices.

Over the years, the breed’s population declined drastically due to the replacement of local cattle with high-yield exotic varieties, habitat change, and neglect in organised breeding programmes. It was categorised under the “critical” risk of extinction in conservation assessments.

Objectives of Mission Punganur

Mission Punganur was formally initiated in 2020 with a multi-crore funding plan dedicated to rebuilding and expanding the population of this indigenous breed. Its major objectives include:

1. Conservation and revival: Restore the Punganur cattle population within its native tract and ensure its survival for future generations.
2. Rapid multiplication: Use reproductive biotechnology, including in vitro fertilisation (IVF), embryo transfer, and surrogate mothers from other breeds, to accelerate the population growth rate.
3. Enhanced reproductive efficiency: While a typical Punganur cow produces only about 2.5 offspring over five years, the mission aims to raise this to nearly 8.5 offspring in the same period.
4. Research and training infrastructure: Establish laboratories, strengthen livestock research stations, and train professionals in advanced breeding technologies.

Implementation Strategy

The programme is primarily coordinated through veterinary research institutions and livestock stations in Andhra Pradesh. The strategy revolves around:

• Collecting germplasm from existing Punganur cattle.
• Developing embryo transfer protocols with surrogate mothers from other cattle breeds.
• Establishing nucleus breeding herds at designated centres to maintain pure lines.
• Collaboration with local breeders and gosalas to sustain and multiply cattle numbers outside formal institutions.

Progress and Challenges

Initial stages of Mission Punganur have shown promise, with a growing number of breeders and gosalas adopting artificial insemination and assisted reproduction techniques. Some private efforts have also managed to build herds of significant size.
However, several challenges remain:

• Genetic bottlenecks: The current population base is too small, leading to risks of inbreeding.
• Technical limitations: Large-scale IVF and embryo transfer in cattle remain complex and require specialised facilities.
• Sustainability concerns: The programme depends heavily on financial and institutional support, which must be sustained over time.

Significance of Mission Punganur

Mission Punganur carries ecological, cultural, and economic importance:

• Biodiversity conservation: It safeguards one of the rarest cattle breeds in the world and helps preserve indigenous livestock diversity.
• Economic value: The breed’s high-fat milk is especially suited for ghee production and fetches a premium value in religious and cultural contexts, particularly in South Indian temples.
• Cultural symbolism: The Punganur cow has long been associated with local traditions and rituals, making its preservation a matter of heritage as much as science.
• Model initiative: The mission is an example of how biotechnology and indigenous knowledge can be combined to protect critically endangered livestock breeds.