Context

The Prime Minister fed cows of the Punganur cow breed of Andhra Pradesh on the occasion of Pongal/ Makar Sankranti.

About Punganur Cow Breed 

The Punganur cow is an indigenous breed native to the Punganoor, Vayalapadu, Madanapalli, and Palamaneer talukas of Chittoor district in the Rayalaseema region of southern Andhra Pradesh. 

Characteristics and features of the Punganur cow

The Punganur cow breed is named after the town of Punganur in the Chittoor district, located in the south-eastern part of the Deccan Plateau. These Punganur cows are white and light grey in color with a broad forehead and short horns. They are small, with an average height of 70–90 cm and a weight of 115–200 kg. The cows produce an average of 3 to 5 liters of milk per day and eat about 5 kg of food daily. They are very good at surviving in dry conditions and can live on dry fodder alone.

Some features of the Characteristics and features of the Punganur cowbbreed include:

• Color: White and light grey
• Forehead: Broad
• Horns: Short
• Height: 70–90 cm
• Weight: 115–200 kg
• Milk Production (Average Yield): 3 to 5 liters per day

• Smallest Breed: Punganur cows are considered to be the world’s smallest humped cattle. 
• Population Data: According to the  20th Livestock Census conducted in 2019, the total number of Punganur was recorded at 13,275, which included 9,876 pure and 3,399 graded heads of cattle.
• Highest Population States in Pure Breed Category: Andhra Pradesh (8,806), followed by Telangana (977), Karnataka (66), Kerala (15), Maharashtra (6), and Tamil Nadu (6). 
• Highest Population States in the graded category:  Andhra Pradesh (2,725), followed by Telangana (399), Karnataka (351), Tamil Nadu (10), and Kerala (4).

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Conservation Efforts For Punganur Cows

• Financial Support: The Andhra Pradesh government has provided financial support through its budget for the promotion of the Punganur cow breed.
  • The Centre has sanctioned funds for the establishment of Gokul Gram at the P V Narasimha Rao Telangana Veterinary University, Hyderabad for the promotion of Punganur and other indigenous breeds of cattle in Telangana.
• National Kamdhenu Breeding Centre (NKBC): The NKBC for the southern region has been established at Chintaladevi, Nellore, in Andhra Pradesh.

Also Read: Indigenous Cattle Breeds of India: Why They Are Preferred to Exotic Breeds?