Conservation priorities and livelihood functions of cattle resources

Cattle rearing in India enable poor and landless farmers to earn a living and an important input for agriculture. Regionally adapted animal genetic resources were fulfilling these functions, whose population is under threat and the gene pool is getting diluted due to various reasons. Umblachery is a draught cattle breed of India, which is endangered according to the FAO reports. Considering community participation and economic importance as decision making tools for the conservation of animal genetic resources, this study was aimed at ascertaining the livelihood functions offered by this cattle and to elicit the farmers' response related to their preferred cattle traits. The study showed that farmers derived multiple livelihood functions from Umblachery and they possess appreciable traditional knowledge on animal breeding. It was intended that the result of the study might help appreciating the farmers' interests in keeping a livestock breed and incorporating their knowledge and interests while formulating policy decisions related to conservation and management of indigenous cattle population