Animal Genetic Resources (AnGR) Diversity in India

Abstract

The history of farm Animal Genetic Resources (AnGR) is about 12 to 14 thousand years old; started with the
domestication of the animals for companion, food, fur and hide purposes. Among 40 non-carnivores livestock
species domesticated by human being, till date, only cattle, sheep, goat, pig and chicken are highly prevalent
and known as ‘Big fi ve’. Other species like buff alo, dromedaries and Bactrian camel, llama, alpaca, yak, and
mithun are region specifi c. At present, about one-fi fth of the global food is of animal origin in the world.