Periyar Kullan - Indigenous Cattle Breed Registration

Agriculture and Animal Husbandry · Tuesday, 25 August 2026

The ICAR-National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR) officially registered the Periyar cow (Periyar Kullan) as an indigenous cattle breed, making it only the second indigenous cattle breed from Kerala to receive national recognition after the Vechur cow. The dwarf breed is native to Western Ghats forest fringes and plantation tracts of central Kerala.

Quick highlights

ICAR-NBAGR officially registered Periyar Kullan as second indigenous cattle breed from Kerala after Vechur cow
Small-to-medium dwarf cattle native to Western Ghats forest fringes of Ernakulam and Thrissur districts
Distinctive dark brown coat and unique horn morphology where horns in some individuals hang down around ears
Thrives under semi-feral and silvopastoral systems in rubber/spice plantations with minimal human management
Produces 2.5 to 4 litres daily milk rich in A2 beta-casein with 4.5 percent fat and 9.1 percent Solids-Not-Fat
Estimated surviving population around 1,000 heads; registration enables targeted conservation programs

Context

The ICAR-National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR) officially registered the Periyar cow (popularly known as Periyar Kullan) as an indigenous cattle breed. This makes it only the second indigenous cattle breed from Kerala to receive national recognition, following the famous Vechur cow. Periyar Kullan, also locally known as Kuttampuzha cattle and Andukanni, is a small-to-medium-sized indigenous dwarf cattle breed native to the Western Ghats forest fringes and plantation tracts of central Kerala. The breed is primarily found in the riverine and plantation belts of Ernakulam and Thrissur districts, particularly around Koovappady, Angamaly, Kothamangalam, and Chalakudy.

Key Facts

The breed has a small-to-medium dwarf build weighing between 150 and 200 kg (slightly heavier than the ultra-dwarf Vechur cow which weighs approximately 130 kg), characterized by a distinctive dark brown coat. It features unique horn morphology where horns in some individuals do not curve upward but instead hang down around the ears—a rare adaptive anatomical variation. The cattle exhibit silvopastoral grazing behavior, being highly self-reliant and free-ranging; they graze throughout daytime plantation terrains and return to specific shelter locations by dusk. They produce an average daily milk yield of 2.5 to 4 litres rich in A2 beta-casein, containing approximately 4.5 percent fat and 9.1 percent Solids-Not-Fat. The breed attains first breeding maturity at around 26 months, with first calving at 35 months and an average gestation period of 279 days.

Significance

Official NBAGR registration scientifically validates a unique genetic resource, enabling targeted conservation programs and state breeding support for the estimated approximately 1,000 surviving heads. Because of their extreme hardiness, natural disease resistance, low maintenance costs, and high-value A2 milk, Periyar cows offer an economically sustainable dairy model for marginal farmers and organic plantation systems. The breed is perfectly adapted to silvopastoral systems in Western Ghats plantations, requiring minimal external inputs. The A2 milk commands premium pricing in health-conscious markets. The registration prevents genetic erosion and enables inclusion in national conservation programs. It provides livelihood security for tribal and marginal farmers in plantation belts through low-input dairying.

Challenges / Way Forward

Major challenges include critically small population size of approximately 1,000 animals making the breed vulnerable to extinction, genetic dilution through crossbreeding with exotic breeds, loss of traditional grazing commons due to plantation expansion, lack of organized breeding and marketing infrastructure, and limited farmer awareness about breed conservation importance. Way forward includes establishing dedicated breed conservation centers in Ernakulam and Thrissur districts, implementing breed registration and genomic characterization programs, creating farmer incentives for maintaining pure-bred animals, developing A2 milk procurement and marketing networks with premium pricing, integrating breed conservation into organic plantation management systems, and documenting traditional knowledge of silvopastoral rearing practices. Success requires collaboration between ICAR institutes, state animal husbandry department, and farmer cooperatives.

Exam Angle

Relevant for UPSC Prelims: Indigenous cattle breeds of India, ICAR-NBAGR, Vechur cow, A2 milk, Western Ghats, Kerala, silvopastoral systems. GS Paper III (Agriculture & Animal Husbandry): Indigenous breed conservation, livestock biodiversity, dairy sector, organic farming, sustainable livestock management. GS Paper III (Environment & Biodiversity): Conservation of indigenous genetic resources, agro-biodiversity, Western Ghats ecosystem. Essay topics: Conservation of indigenous animal genetic resources, sustainable agriculture and traditional breeds, biodiversity and livelihoods.

Remember this

ICAR-NBAGR registered Periyar Kullan as second indigenous cattle breed from Kerala after Vechur cow
Small-to-medium dwarf breed weighing 150-200 kg, slightly heavier than Vechur cow at approximately 130 kg
Distinctive dark brown coat and unique horn morphology where horns hang down around ears in some individuals
Found in Ernakulam and Thrissur districts of Kerala, particularly Koovappady, Angamaly, Kothamangalam, Chalakudy
Produces 2.5 to 4 litres daily milk rich in A2 beta-casein with 4.5 percent fat and 9.1 percent SNF
Thrives under silvopastoral systems in rubber/spice plantations with minimal human management
Estimated surviving population around 1,000 heads
Also known locally as Kuttampuzha cattle and Andukanni

Background reading

Soil Types of India

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