23rd to 25th June 2009

Venue: Alankrita Resorts-The Ethnic Gateway,

Thumkunta Village, Shamirpet mandal,
Ranga Reddy district-500078.
Andhra Pradesh, India

Training on Livestock Production, Resources and Breeds

Introduction
CBM network India and CBM network South Asia have
jointly organized a three day training workshop for the
partners of CBM network India on Livestock Production,
Resources and Breeds. The training workshop was anchored
by Anthra (one of the partners) at Hyderabad, Andhra
Pradesh from 23rd to 25th June 2009. Dr.Sagari Ramdas and
Mr. Sanyasi Rao from Anthra were the resource persons for
the training. Fifteen participants from 9 partner
organizations participated in the workshop.

Day 1
Morning Session
The workshop began with an introduction of the participants and Dr. Sagari Ramdas welcomed
them to Hyderabad and for the three day training. After the introductions she gave an overview of
the three day program.
The participants were asked to write down their expectations from this training. Each participant
had written down on the cards. These cards were put up on the board and were summarized by
Dr. Sagari. (See annexure 1)
As a brainstorming exercise the participants were asked
to tell what comes to their mind when they hear the
word livestock. Each of the participants had expressed
their immediate reaction. This had brought out all the
different aspects of livestock rearing.
Followed by that each organization shared the type of
livestock agricultural patterns and peoples livelihoods in
their respective areas. A format was sent to them prior
to the workshop .

Linkages between Livestock, Agriculture, natural resources and Livestock

Production systems
Dr. Sagari Ramdas made a power point presentation
bringing out the inter linkages between livestock rearing,
the local agriculture practices and the natural resources
available in the area. Each agro ecological zone has its own
livestock production systems and breeds which are suitable
to the resources available in the area. She summarized the
five year plans formulated by the Indian government and
the livestock component in each plan. (Refer ppt Livestock, Agro ecozones and Peoples Livelihoods; Issues
and Concerns)

Post Lunch Session

PRA tools
In the afternoon session PRA exercises were done involving all the participants regarding the
livestock species available, their purpose of rearing in each area. This was done in a matrix form,
first participants from each organization listed out the type of livestock found in their area and
then highlighted the purpose of rearing by placing cards against each animal type. This was done
on charts. Then there was a discussion as to who (class, case, gender) owned what type of
animals. This information was summarized and marked on the charts.
This exercise had brought out that small and marginal farmers are rearing poultry and small
ruminants across all the regions.
Followed by this a discussion was done regarding the
major problems faced in livestock rearing species wise.
In this exercise Ms.Shambamma from Karnataka shared
the problems faced in rearing sheep and poultry. Ms.
Shanti from Nepal shared the problem in rearing Buffalo
and Ayasamy from Tamil Nadu shared the problems
regarding Irula Buffalo. (for details see annexure 2)
In the evening session two films were screened - one on
Animal Health workers and the second one on Livestock Breeds of India.

Day 2
Morning Session
Dr. Sagari Ramdas explained the importance of indigenous
livestock breeds and their role in the poor peoples livelihoods.
This was followed by a discussion on the status of livestock
breeds in different regions. Participants shared the situation of
breeds and the factors that threatened the breeds in their own
areas. (Refer ppt - Animal Genetic Resources)

After this Dr. Sagari Ramdas explained the format LIFE approach, to document the local breeds
of livestock. She gave a detailed explanation of process, methodology and techniques in
documenting the breeds. (Refer pdf - Breed Documentation Format)

Followed by this Mr. Sanyasi Rao made a presentation of a case study on Kanchu Meka, the
dwarf goat breed documented from the Eastern Ghats region of Andhra Pradesh. (Refer ppt - The
Kanchu Meka A Dwarf Goat Breed)

Post Lunch Session

In the afternoon session there was an interactive sessions with the farmers and shepherds from
Each Godavari and Medak districts who shared their experiences of conservation of poultry and
sheep breeds.
Mr.Pandu Dora from Girijana Deepika and Ms. Venkatalaxmi from Tholakari Vedika from Each
Godavari districts shared their experience of Aseel poultry conservation with the adivasi
communities. They explained the importance of poultry in the livelihoods of the local adivasis
and the vata (sharing system) though which the poultry wealth was built up for those who did not
own poultry.
Mr. Muthyalu, Mr. Narsimha, Ms. Mangamma and Ms. Buchamma, the shepherds from Medak
district shared their experiences of rearing and conservation of the black Deccani sheep and the
revival of the wool craft. This was followed by a presentation by Ms.Rosali, an intern with
Anthra, about her research findings about Sheep husbandry in the Deccan plateau.
In the evening Session Mr. Madhusudan from YAKSHI
took a session on the Forest Rights Act, 2006. He
screened a 5 minute video showing the issues faced by
adivasis in India. He explained the background of the
act, the struggles by the adivasis and different rights
secured for the adivasies. He focused on the right to
graze in the forest by the traditional pastoralist
communities. He also explained the process of claiming
the rights through the Gram sabha.
Followed by this Dr.Jasbir Singh an independent
researcher and a visiting associate of IIED, London made a presentation on Agrofuels - land use
and Food crisis. He discussed the impact of widespread cultivation of agrofuels across the world
which is being promoted as a mitigation to climate change.

Day 3
Morning session
The entire team made field visits to villages Chennapur and
Tuljaram Thanda in the nearby Medak district to do the
documentation of breeds practically with the farmers. The
participants were divided into 4 groups and each group was
guided by a resource person from Anthra. The teams left after 6.30
am and returned by 12.30 pm.
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Groups for Field Visit

Goat 1 Sagari
Goat 2 Sunny
Cattle 3 Narsimlu
Buffalo 4 Asha

Ravindra , Robert Leo, Mr. Prasanna

Sambamma, Pandu, Shanti
Sandika, Prasanna, Narwadi
Ahsan Habib, Ramesh, Kiran, Sangeetha, Atul Naik

The participants assembled at the training hall at 1 PM for the concluding session.
First the team members made presentations about their observations in the field and experience of
documenting the breeds. (See annexure 3)

Feed back and follow up from the groups

In the concluding session all the partner organizations were asked to come out with plans as to
how they were going to take this learning forward in their respective work.
1. Key Stone Foundation:
We gained enough confidence to document livestock breeds. We would like to start our
research from July09.
2. AME Foundation:
This training has helped us to strengthen the LEISA program and integration of livestock
in agriculture system.
We were able to understand the current agriculture system
Practical experiences are good
Before taking action on conservation of our local indigenous breeds, we will begin by
understanding the local livestock production system using PRA.
3. LIBIRD:
Breed documentation is important to understand our breeds we will do in future
4. Green foundation:
Integration of livestock into organic agriculture system
PRA on who owns what animal
Matrix on purpose of rearing livestock

5. Sahajeevan
Exchange of knowledge to community through breed documentation
PRA is very good to analyse the existing livestock production system
6. Agragamee
Before attending the workshop we did not have any exposure on livestock development
We have learnt concept of livestock breeds and its production system
We need to know more on livestock development in adivasi areas of Orissa
7. BAIF
We shall start documentation of local livestock breeds in Maratwada
Try to replicate the Anthra approach and experience in our area
8. UBENIC
In this training I gained knowledge on value of indigenous breeds and it helps me to bring
awareness among community on indigenous breeds
9. Green movements in Srilanka
I was able to understand about indigenous breeds and their values.
The workshop concluded by the distribution of certificates to the participants. All the participant
organization was given a copy of the book published by anthra Bank On Hooves Your
Companion to Holistic Animal Care by the organizers of the workshop.

Annexure: 1
Expectations of the participants
1. Fodder issues in livestock rearing
2. How to avoid inbreeding
3. How to do Knowledge transfer
4. Cow and poultry health issues
5. Livestock health and disease control
6. How to maintain the animals in different weather conditions
7. Enrich knowledge on livestock production and conservation
8. Develop resource personals in each organization on livestock
9. To enrich the knowledge on indigenous livestock breeds
10. Local traditional measures of preventing diseases
11. To scale out this training as regional training with value added training module
12. Learn about other regions issues on livestock rearing
13. Sharing of each other experiences on livestock production systems
14. How to conserve local breeds
15. Best practices in Andhra Pradesh
16. What is FRA?
17. Breeds and association of local peoples livelihoods
18. To know about livestock development in India
19. To know about livestock products
20. To know about Indian livestock breeds
21. Linkage between livestock production and biodiversity
22. Conservation systems for rear animal in local level
23. Which breed is better for tribal community and who is efficient to manage animals among
tribal women or men?
24. How community can access the waste land for fodder production
25. What are the government schemes on livestock for tribals
26. Status of different breeds and different region
27. Improve the poor peoples economy though livestock
28. Livestock development in Orissa especially in tribal area
29. Fodder development in common lands
30. Grazing rights and forest rights in India
31. Equity issues and livestock ownership- caste, class and gender
32. Deccani sheep breed in Medak under stand caste, class and gender perspective

Annexure: 2
Refer PRA Matrix

Annexure: 3
Field Visit Presentations
Goat group 1
Format for documenting indigenous Livestock breeds
Name of recorders: Group Ravindra, Sudha, Leo, Aya Swamy*
Date of recording: 25.06.09
No of villages included in survey: Chennapur
Type of animal goat
Shepherds name - Beeresh, 10th Std. 4 years agao now full time.
Social and Agro-ecological context
Rain fed region, red soil and dry deciduous forest
In the village Chennapur also breeding is happening. Farmers keep one buck for 30 does in a
flock. Golla, kurma and dalit communities are rearing this breed
Local production context
In this region, communities are rearing cattle, buffaloes, sheep, goats and poultry.
Land is used predominantly for agriculture, in the rain fed area cultivating millets and pulses and
in the irrigated area rice and sugar cane is being cultivated by farmers. Bore wells are major
irrigation source.
Farmers are using maize, paddy straw and sugar cane crop residues to feed to their cattle and
buffaloes.
Morning at 10 a.m. shepherds take their animals for grazing and they return at 6pm.
No forest is in this village but shepherds are using neighboring village forest known as
chinagottimukkala forest.
During summer main green fodder is Acacia nilotica leaves and pods shepherds lop these trees
during summer only. During winter sheep and goats graze on agriculture fields are because by the
time kharif crops might have harvested.
Farmers who own bore wells cultivating tomatoes as rabi crop this crop residues are not feeding
to their animals because they are using highly chemicals and pesticides on this corp.
Cultural context
Community believes that Beerappa and Mallanna are their ancestors. There was a story of golden
sheep which was created by lord Shiva. They do Beerappa festival once in 5 years.
Local terminology of the breed
Kanni
Yerukanni
Chellakanna
Jalla
Maila

Identification of top breeders in the area

Chennapur, Gummadidala
Breed characteristics
Tall, black in colour, kidding twice in a year.
Good mothering ability. Drought tolerant
Baseline data
10 families, Population size 600, the population declined in the last two years.
Selection of Breeding Male
Select future breeding buck from his own flock some times he purchases from out side also. Changes the
buck from flock once in 4-5 years.
Some reproductive parameters
1. Age at first birth- 1 year
2. Season of lambing/ calving- December and September
Lambs survival rate is 5%, an average 40 lambs born in a life time of doe.
Total life span of doe is 15-20 years.
Weaning age and weight at weaning - 2months / 8kg
Pressures
What pressures does the breed face that threatens its survival / sustainable use? These may include
Grazing land declining, changes in cropping pattern are the main threat to rearing goats.

Goat Group II
Goat breed : Usmanabadi
1. Medak district
- Dried deciduous forest
- 500 mm rainfall
- Semi arid zone
Farmer name: Yadaiah
Village name: Chinnapur
2. Breeding in same village
3. They are 8 households rearing goats
7 community - Yadav
1 community - Dalit
4. Land use strategies Agriculture
Kharif Maize with Red gram or bean
Rabi - Sunflower
Irrigated land - Paddy / 50 mato / B
After harvesting maize, they left their goat into field for grazing
Forest is main grazing land

Fodder calendar
Fodder species` Raining
1. Teak
2. Sirimanu
3. Maddi
4. Ponna
5. Gumpane

6. Thurai
7. Thumma
8. Tada
9. Kappagraka
10. Vepa

Winter

Summer

Palatable

II
III
IV
V

7. There are no any stories / songs.

8. Local Terminologies
Meka Goat
Padala neck wattles
Kanny colours of different parts of body (Neck / abdomen / foot etc.)
Jala Spots like colour all over the body.
Mulli Small size ears
Bingi Medium size ears
Padigala Slightly bigger size ears
Chevula Large ears
Porumulli white small ear
Batta meka - Stomach having shite patche colour (only)
Poda 90% cover by colour
Aro - Red colour
Tella White
Paiya Half (in front) Red & Black in back side
Maralakatti Management purpose () Knife

9. The breed also exists in Gummadidala (neigbouring village)

10. Characteristics
- Meat is tasty
- Give birth twice a year
In 1st lambing - 1 kid & after that give twins every time.
Colours Black, Black & White & Black & Red, dominant colour is black
Horn shapes grows backward direction
Brown colour eye.
12. 500 goats

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13.

From 10 years
From 2-3 years

6 families are rearing

2 families are emerging

Family size increased but flock size decrease

In past - 100-120 goats in a flock, now - 50-60 goats in a flock
Purpose of rearing:
Generating self employment
Income
Manure
Milk (only for medicinal purpose)
Meat
Live animal & skin sell
Breeding etc.
Market age - > Six months lambs for male
Selection criteria for breeding male.

Healthy
Height
Having 2 testes
Strong etc.

Selection criteria for female

Udder size
Shiny looking
Height
Muzzle etc.

Physical Description
1 month kid - >

Weight 8.5 kg
Height - 49 cm
Chest girth 46 cm
Abdomen girth 45 cm
Length
- 41 cm

6 month female
Height 72 cm
Weight 20.5 kg
Chest girth 65 cm
Abdominal girth 69 cm
Length - 54 cm

Male
79 cm
26 kg
72 cm
74 cm
54 cm

First lambing time - 1 year

Twinning % age 40%
Weaning age 2-3 months
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Change of breeding buck once in 5-6 years

Grazing land is not available. They depend on forest & harvesting field.
New generation is not interested to adopt this farming
Industrial interfere
They rear goat for livelihoods
Health care provide by government & NGO (Anthra)

Cattle Group III

Village: Avancha
Hamlet: Tuljarampet Thanda
Mandal: Narsapur
District: Medak
Community: Lambada
Total house holders 86
Interaction with 10 males, 15 females
Cattle owner Miraman Malot, Laskara both owned 100 cattle
In hamlet, 3 landless, marginal 3, middle 60, rich 20
Breed: No breed (Ongole & Red Kandhari)
Grazing:

No grazing land, open grazing

JuneOctober Forest land
November-May Private land (After cultivation)

Fodder:

Jowar PC-23 having borewell

Paddy straw, maize straw
- Stall feeding offer to bullock
- No stall feed / concentrate offer to cows

Health:

- Seasonal vaccination
- No indigenous knowledge
- Deworming medicine from veterinary hospital

Economics:

- 15 calves
- Every year 2-3 die
- 6-8 months male sold for5000-8000
- Manure 2-3 Tractors

Reproduction/Production:
(l) Milk litre per animal
(2) 1.5 year/calf
(3) Breeding with local bull selection
About cross breeding:
- Requires more fodder, water, health,

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Constraints
(1) Pasture land / Fodder
(2) Vet services
(3) Market
(4) Industry pollution

Buffalo Group - IV
Village: Chennapur
Farmer: Balareddy & Rajamma
Family size: 6 members
Land: 6 acres, Crops grown paddy, maize
Buffalo: 7(4 Female, 3 (1 Breeding, 2-Drought) + 2 calves
About village: 100 Families (5 communities: - Reddys, Mudiraj, Goudas, Kuruba, Harijans)
Average RF: 750 mm
Dryland Area / 50 families have borewells
Buffalo 200 (almost every house)
Goat/Sheep 500 (20 household) - > (50-70 / Herd)
Cattle only 25% households own
No forest land available in the village, but near by it is there.
Breed: Local (Pandapuri)
History: Purchased from Yeragadda, Hyderabad 50 years ago.
Characters:

Long Horns like a sword

Medium sized
Black/Grey
Body weight 4.5 5 years
First calving 4.5 5 years
Inter calving 1.5 2 years

Lactation period: 10 months

Milk yield 3 to 4 litres / day
- After calving, after 3 months - > Heat period
- Requires minimum feed
- kg Concentrate feed
- 10 kg crop residues
- 40 Litres / H2O/Day

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Annexure : 4
Participants Attending Livestock Training (23rd to 25th June 2009)
Organisation
GREEN Foundation

Participants name
Pandu
Ms.Sambamma
Mr. Ravindranath Reddy
Ms. Sangeeta Patil
Mr. Robert Leo
Ayasamy
Ramesh Bhatti
Mr. Krian Patel

PhoneNo.
9481089674

Contact details
gfbangalore@gmail.com

9448765061
9731288609

ravindra_ame@yahoo.co.in
sangu_sps@rediffmail.com
leo@keystone-foundation.org

9978220511
9426971075

www.sahajeevan.org

Agragamee

Mr. Atul Nayak

9438345144

arpita25.03@rediffmail.com

LIBIRD

Mr. Prasanna Kumar

Mohanty
Ms. Shanti Ale

Green Movement
UBINIG

Mr. K.H. Sandika

Mr.Ahsan Habib

01552 379384

abishkar@libird.org
sandika.hannadi@gmail.com;
office@greensl.net
narigrantha@siriusbroadband.com

LI-BIRD

Ms.Sudha Khadka

BAIF

Dr. Narode

AME
Keystone
Satvik

skhadka@libird.org

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