Recently, an event occurred in which a purebred Ongole calf was born at the Livestock Research Station LAM Farm, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh.

The birth was facilitated through IVF-embryo transfer technology.

About The Ongole cattle

• Ongole cattle, also known as Ongolu Gitta, are a native Indian breed.
• They originate from Prakasam District, Andhra Pradesh.
• The breed is named after Ongole, the region where it was first developed.
• Classified under Bos indicus, Ongole cattle are highly valued for their disease resistance.
• Unique Features and Global Demand
• • Known for their resistance to foot and mouth disease and mad cow disease.
  • Highly sought after worldwide due to their strength and resilience.
  • Frequently used in bullfighting competitions in Mexico and parts of East Africa.
  • In India, they participate in traditional bullfights in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
  • Farmers assess bull strength and purity during these competitions for breeding selection.
• Recognition and Cultural Importance
  • The 2002 National Games of India featured an Ongole bull named Veera as the mascot.

The Ongole Breed in Brazil vs India

• Ongole Cattle in Brazil

  • The breed is highly valued in Brazil, where 80% of the country’s 226 million cattle are Ongoles.
  • In February, an Ongole purebred cow, Viatina-19, was auctioned for $4.38 million USD (~₹40 crore).
  • Brazilian breeders focus on breeding bigger, meatier cattle for export markets.
  • Ongoles are used primarily for meat production, contributing significantly to Brazil’s beef export industry.

• Ongole Cattle in India

• • Ongole numbers have drastically reduced from 15 lakh in 1944 to 6.34 lakh in 2019.
  • Indigenous cattle in India have declined by 9% (2007-2012) and 6% (2012-2019).

Conservation Challenges in India

• Farmer Preferences
  • Despite the Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM) (2014) promoting desi breeds, farmers prefer:
    • Exotic & crossbred cattle due to higher milk yield.
    • Their population increased by 29.5% (2012-2019) from 39.73 million to 51.47 million.
• Advantages of Ongole Cattle
  • Farmer-friendly cattle: Adapted to Indian climate, soil, and farming needs.
  • High disease resistance and strength.
  • Heat tolerance and ability to survive on low fodder.
  • Cultural significance:
    • Nandi bulls in Shiva temples resemble Ongole bulls.
    • Historically, they played a vital role in India’s agrarian revolution.

Declining Milking Ability of Ongole Cattle

• Reasons for Decline
• • Indian farmers selectively bred bulls for draught power (strength and size) rather than milk production.
  • The Brahmini bull breeding system prioritized stamina over milk yield.
  • Mechanization of agriculture reduced demand for bullock-driven farming.