SWOT ANALYSIS ON THE STATUS OF ANIMAL GENETIC RESOURCES (AnGR) OF INDIA

SWOT ANALYSIS ON THE STATUS OF ANIMAL GENETIC RESOURCES (AnGR) OF INDIA

Divya Patel¹, Garima Kansal,¹ Nutan Chouhan²,

1. PhD Scholar, Division of Livestock Production Management, NDRI, Karnal, Haryana
2. PhD Scholar, Division of Animal Nutrition, NDRI, Karnal, Haryana

Email: ddnv4321@gmail.com

SWOT –   A decision-making tool that consists of listing the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats associated with the AnGR and using these results to develop a strategy for future management of the AnGR. This SWOT analysis should be considered to be a first step towards a more in-depth analysis to be useful for the development of framework for AnGR.

Status of AnGR in India

India is rich in domestic animal biodiversity with 50 breeds of cattle, 19 breeds of buffalo, 43 breeds of sheep, 34 breeds of goat 9 breeds of camel, 7 of horse and 20 breeds of poultry in addition to other species.

Biodiversity of farm animal genetic resources has been rapidly declining. As per FAO, about 1000 of the 6400 recognized breeds have become extinct during the last 100 years. One-third of these became extinct between 1985 and 2000. Livestock species are unlikely at danger of extinction themselves. It has been reported that over the past seven years, at least one livestock breed has become extinct each month and further that around 20 percent of the world’s livestock breeds are at risk of extinction. In India, the focus on maximizing immediate financial returns by crossbreeding of valuable indigenous breeds has resulted in a threat to the well adapted local breeds, which were earlier evolved for a variety of domestic purposes. The production and market requirements are likely to change in the future because of likely changes in consumer needs and physical environment. Livestock genetic diversity represents one of the most neglected as well as threatened aspects of biodiversity.

Importance of SWOT analysis for AnGR

1. AnGR play important role in agriculture, rural development, and food and nutrition security.
2. On the bases of SWOT analysis many countries make different policies, programs and institutional framework needed to promote the sustainable management of AnGR.
3. At present various country, international organizations, different networks, regional focal points are working together for implementation of global plan of action to conservation of AnGR.
4. Time to time re-evaluate the SWOT facing by national authorities, livestock keepers, breeders and scientists can be helpful to identify future priorities accordingly further action.
5. People not take much interest on AnGR so knowledge gaps are still a major concern, we don’t know about SWOT of AnGR for future plan and strategy.
6. Still monitoring of trends in size and structure of breed populations is often inadequate, when hamper the estimation of risk status.
7. With the help of SWOT analysis we know how to coping with climate change, new disease challenges, restrictions on availability of natural resources and changing market demand will helpful for sustainable use and conservation of AnGR.
8. Better knowledge about SWOT analysis of AnGR helpful for appropriate management strategies
9. With the help of SWOT analysis need to addressed particularly in developing country like India.
10. Due to lack of adequate studied of AnGR genetic diversity lost before it can be used for helping farmers, pastoralists and animal breeders to meet current and future production challenge.
11. Almost all documentation available only in English.
12. Funding for NGOs could unstable or unreliable in long term.

https://nbagr.icar.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/guidelines_management_AnGR.pdf

SWOT analysis on the status of AnGR of India

STRENGTHS

• India is a mega diverse country with only 2.4% of the world’s land area, accounts for 7-8% of all recorded species, including species of plants and species of animals.
• Livestock diversity is high in India. There are 50 breeds of cattle, 17 breeds of buffalo, 43 breeds of sheep, 34 breeds of goat 9 breeds of camel, 7 of horse and 20 breeds of poultry in addition to other species.
• Availability of unconventional feed & folder.
• Availability of divers’ germplasm with unique features like heat tolerance, disease resistance draft ability and ability to survive and produce under stress conditions.
• Integrated structure for livestock farming and agriculture
• There are 10 biogeographic regions or zones in India which are further divided into 25 biogeographic provinces.
• Due to the high population density in India vast pool of manpower available.
• It has also globally important populations of some of Asia’s rarest animals, such as the Bengal Fox, Asiatic Cheetah, Marbled Cat, Asiatic Lion, Indian Elephant, Asiatic Wild Ass, Indian Rhinoceros, Markhor, Gaur, Wild Asiatic Water Buffalo, etc.
• India is one of 17 mega-biodiverse countries in the world.
• Good performance in terms of functional traits and milk quality; distinctive appearance.

  WEAKNESSES

• In India more than 70% animals are non-descript and indigenous type presently we have 50 breeds of cattle, 17 breeds of buffalo out which we have only 5 to 6 milch breed.
• At present per animal productivity is very low in India as compare to other countries.
• The main constraint to livestock development is the scarcity and fluctuation in the quality and quantity of the animal feed supply in India.
• In our country animals are susceptible to diseases due to lack of health coverage in remote areas. Poor health conditions because three types of losses i.e. decrease production, treatment cost and loss from mortality.
• Marketing involves the conveying of livestock products from farmers to consumers. Some of the problems of marketing affecting the livestock sector include scattered animal production, absence of traceability, demand and supply highly price sensitive, poor packaging and less storage capacity.
• Disbursement of loans for livestock sector is almost 5% of the total loan disbursement in agriculture. It is extremely hard to access due to procedural complexity, inordinate delay, high interest rate etc.
• In the rural areas where most of the farmers operate without good infrastructure in place, is a major problem, as it affects investment, trade, and production. Lack of infrastructure is one of the limiting factors for investment by the private players in the animal husbandry sector.
• The Government of India spends below 10% on livestock extension activities.

OPPORTUNITIES

• Integral part of agriculture with synergistic relationship.
• Substantial contribution to GDP.
• Gainful employment, particularly to rural women and youth.
• Presence of mega biodiversity in terms of number of breeds adapted to the specific agro-climatic conditions
• Best buffalo genetic resources of the world.
• An essential requirement to cater the fast growing dietary demand, especially of animal protein, of human population of the country.
• Animal-based industrial products.
• Sufficient export potential.
• Human resource and organizational network (though not oriented to AnGR).
• Strong traditions in rearing and management of AnGR.
• High potential/scope to increase production further.
• Disease resistance.

THREATS

• Indiscriminate cross-breeding.
• For maximum immediate financial return introduction of exotic breeds.
• Emerging diseases are major problem.
• Lack of awareness because people not take much interest on AnGR.
• Inadequate policy & legal frameworks
• Poor health coverage
• Inappropriate breeding, management, Poor breeding strategies

Conclusion – Recent decades have witnessed a loss of several breeds/populations due to neglect, urbanization and other reasons. Livestock genetic diversity has been constantly neglected as well as threatened. Loss of livestock biodiversity puts in jeopardy the sustainability of animal agriculture and the ability of the sector to respond to changing environmental conditions. Livestock genetic resources with high diversity are essential for food security, to utilize environment unsuitable for crop agriculture and to respond to changes in production systems, impending climatic change, emergence of new diseases and market demand.

https://www.pashudhanpraharee.com/category/animal-genetics/

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