Port Blair, Aug 29: In a significant development for the Animal Husbandry sector of these islands, the Teressa Goat and Nicobar pig have been recognized as new breeds of India by the National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Karnal, Haryana.
Teressa Goats, as the name suggests, are mostly found in Teressa Island and is reared for its meat by the tribal farmers of Nicobar Group of Islands. These goats are generally tall, brownish or black or white in colour with white and black patches. The adult body varies from 15 to 79 kgs.
The Nicobar Pig is also indigenous to Nicobars and has distinctive characteristic compared to the other recognized breed of pigs in India. An adult pig weighs between 26 to 61 kgs. Nicobari Pigs are reared more for their role in the tradition than economics by the tribal populace of Nicobar group of Islands.
The Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services, A&N Administration and the Animal Sciences Division of Central Island Agricultural Research Institute (CIARI), Port Blair had jointly taken up the conservation and propagation of these breeds. The breed characterization was conducted and genetic profile was completed following which an application to register the breeds was submitted. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research had awarded the Breed Registration Certificate to the applicants on 23.08.2016 at Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi.
The acceptance of Teressa Goats and Nicobari Pigs as recognized breeds of India is significant as measures for its conservation, preservation and propagation can now be taken up with funding from the Government of India. The breed can be developed to suit national and international markets which will present avenues for entrepreneurship and export of disease free germplasm and progenies.
