{"id":158336,"date":"2025-03-10T19:39:12","date_gmt":"2025-03-10T14:09:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/?post_type=current-affairs&#038;p=158336"},"modified":"2025-03-11T18:30:59","modified_gmt":"2025-03-11T13:00:59","slug":"indias-ongole-cattle-decline","status":"publish","type":"current-affairs","link":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/current-affairs\/indias-ongole-cattle-decline","title":{"rendered":"India\u2019s Ongole Cattle Decline"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-158288 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/103-67cee2070aef7.webp\" alt=\"Ongole cattle\" width=\"484\" height=\"302\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/103-67cee2070aef7.webp 957w, https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/103-67cee2070aef7-300x187.webp 300w, https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/103-67cee2070aef7-768x479.webp 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 484px) 100vw, 484px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Recently, an event occurred in which a <\/span><b>purebred Ongole calf<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> was born at the Livestock Research Station LAM Farm, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The birth was facilitated through<\/span><b> IVF-embryo transfer technology.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><b>About The Ongole cattle<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ongole cattle, also known as<\/span><b> Ongolu Gitta,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are <\/span><b>a native Indian breed.<\/b><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They originate from <\/span><b>Prakasam District, Andhra Pradesh.<\/b><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The breed is named after<\/span><b> Ongole, the region<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> where it was first developed.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Classified under <\/span><b>Bos indicus<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, Ongole cattle are highly valued<\/span><b> for their disease resistance.<\/b><\/li>\n<li><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-158498 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/unnamed-2025-03-11t114954798-67d0336d0f881.webp\" alt=\"Ongole Cattle\" width=\"449\" height=\"561\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/unnamed-2025-03-11t114954798-67d0336d0f881.webp 1080w, https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/unnamed-2025-03-11t114954798-67d0336d0f881-240x300.webp 240w, https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/unnamed-2025-03-11t114954798-67d0336d0f881-819x1024.webp 819w, https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/unnamed-2025-03-11t114954798-67d0336d0f881-768x960.webp 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 449px) 100vw, 449px\" \/><b>Unique Features and Global Demand<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Known for <\/span><b>their resistance to foot and mouth disease and mad cow disease.<\/b><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Highly sought after worldwide due to their strength and resilience.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Frequently used in bullfighting competitions in Mexico and parts of East Africa.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In India, they participate in traditional bullfights in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Farmers assess<\/span><b> bull strength and purity <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">during these competitions for breeding selection.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Recognition and Cultural Importance<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The 2002 National Games of India featured an <\/span><b>Ongole bull named Veera as the mascot.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><b>The Ongole Breed in Brazil vs India<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">\n<h3><span style=\"font-size: 16pt;\"><b>Ongole Cattle in Brazil<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The breed is <\/span><b>highly valued<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in Brazil, where 80% of the country\u2019s <\/span><b>226 million cattle<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are <\/span><b>Ongoles.<\/b><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In February, an <\/span><b>Ongole purebred cow, Viatina-19<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, was auctioned for <\/span><b>$4.38 million USD (~\u20b940 crore)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Brazilian breeders focus on breeding <\/span><b>bigger, meatier cattle<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for export markets.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ongoles are used primarily for <\/span><b>meat production<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, contributing significantly to Brazil\u2019s <\/span><b>beef export industry<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">\n<h3><span style=\"font-size: 16pt;\"><b>Ongole Cattle in India<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ongole numbers have drastically reduced from <\/span><b>15 lakh in 1944 to 6.34 lakh in 2019<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Indigenous cattle in India have declined by <\/span><b>9% (2007-2012) and 6% (2012-2019)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><b>Conservation Challenges in India<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Farmer Preferences<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Despite the <\/span><b>Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM) (2014)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> promoting desi breeds, farmers prefer:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Exotic &#038; crossbred cattle<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> due to <\/span><b>higher milk yield<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Their population increased by <\/span><b>29.5% (2012-2019)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> from <\/span><b>39.73 million to 51.47 million<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Advantages of Ongole Cattle<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Farmer-friendly cattle<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Adapted to Indian <\/span><b>climate, soil, and farming needs<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>High disease resistance and strength<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Heat tolerance and ability to survive on low fodder<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Cultural significance<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"3\"><b>Nandi bulls in Shiva temples<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> resemble Ongole bulls.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"3\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Historically, they played a vital role in <\/span><b>India\u2019s agrarian revolution<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><b>Declining Milking Ability of Ongole Cattle<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Reasons for Decline<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Indian farmers selectively bred bulls for <\/span><b>draught power (strength and size)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> rather than milk production.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><b>Brahmini bull breeding system<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> prioritized <\/span><b>stamina over milk yield<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mechanization of agriculture <\/span><b>reduced demand<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for bullock-driven farming.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"vc_table_green\"><\/p>\n<table style=\"width: 99.6375%;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 111.19%; text-align: center;\" colspan=\"2\"><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><b>Also Read<\/b><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 49.797%; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/editorial-analysis\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>UPSC Daily Editorials<\/b><\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 61.393%; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/daily-current-affairs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>UPSC Daily Current Affairs<\/b><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 49.797%; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/quiz\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>Daily Current Affairs Quiz<\/b><\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 61.393%; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/mains-answer-writing\/\" 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Pradesh.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":158302,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rank_math_lock_modified_date":false,"footnotes":""},"tags":[],"paper-wise":[2089],"subject":[2100],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/current-affairs\/158336"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/current-affairs"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/current-affairs"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=158336"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/current-affairs\/158336\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":158500,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/current-affairs\/158336\/revisions\/158500"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/158302"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=158336"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=158336"},{"taxonomy":"paper-wise","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/paper-wise?post=158336"},{"taxonomy":"subject","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/subject?post=158336"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}