Many types of cows in India that have long been essential to dairy farming, agriculture, and cultural customs may be found in India. Indian cows are renowned for their hardiness, prolific milk production, and climatic adaptation.
The scientific up-to-date studies estimate that there are 300 million cows in India. India boasts a lot of diverse cows in terms of race, distribution, and milk production. There are different varieties of cows in India, each with distinct characteristics and geographic ranges.
Here is the Importance of Cows in Indian Agriculture and Culture
The three categories for cow breeds are divided based on their possible uses: drought cows, dual-purpose cows, and dairy cows for milking. The primary goal of cow farming is the production of milk.
Indians have gained extensively from the domestication of cattle from the dawn of civilization, using them for milk, meat, dung, and even urine. As a result, Indian cattle breeds have been and still are extremely important to Indian culture.
They have religious significance and are tightly incorporated into our daily lives and culture. Cattle breeds are significant in the Indian community because of these qualities.
Read More: The Best Indian Cow Breeds for Dairy Farming
Let’s explore some of the most prominent types of cows in India:
1. Gir
Indigenous to Gujarat’s Gir woods and neighboring areas. This breed is well-liked for its dairy qualities. The cows are robust, primarily white, with a small number of red-spotted ones. Between 1500 and 3000 kg of milk are produced profusely by them with each lactation.
Characteristics:
- Color: Red or spotted
- Milk Yield: 10-15 liters per day
- Special Feature: High resistance to diseases
2. Sahiwal
Sahiwal cow is one of the best dairy breeds in India i.e. hailing from Punjab. They are known to calm temperament, these cows are often used in commercial dairy farming. They are also known for their adaptability to hot climates and high milk production.
Characteristics:
- Color: Reddish-brown with white patches
- Milk Yield: 8-12 liters per day
- Special Feature: Heat-tolerant and easy to handle
3. Red Sindhi
This breed of cow, known as zebu, is native to the Pakistani state of Sindh. A typical domestic cow breed that is well-liked in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan, and other nations is the Sindhi. This breed has drought tolerance, tick resistance, disease resistance, and heat tolerance. This is an additional Indian cow breed that is raised in Europe and other nations to produce crossbreeds.
Characteristics:
- Color: Deep red to reddish-brown
- Milk Yield: 6-9 liters per day
- Special Feature: Adaptable to harsh climates and low maintenance
4. Tharparkar
This dual-purpose breed of Indian cow evolved in Rajasthan’s neighboring Thar desert area. They have a shifting hue of white or gray. The ability of this breed to withstand sickness is widely recognized.
Characteristics:
- Color: White or light grey
- Milk Yield: 5-8 liters per day
- Special Feature: Suitable for arid regions
5. Kankrej
This breed, which originated in Gujarat’s Banaskantha district, is muscular and has enormous horns. Numerous names for this breed exist, including Wadhiar, Vadhiyar, Wadhir, Wadial, Nagar, Bannai, Talabda, Wagad, and Vaghiyar. A considerable amount of milk is produced by this breed of cattle.
Characteristics:
- Color: Silver-grey to white
- Milk Yield: 10-12 liters per day
- Special Feature: High endurance, often used for plowing
6. Hariana
They are located in Haryana, Haryana cows are highly valued for their power and ability to produce large amounts of milk. Their robust bulk makes them ideal for draught tasks like transporting and plowing.
Characteristics:
- Color: White or grey
- Milk Yield: 4-8 liters per day
- Special Feature: Dual-purpose breed, used for both milk and draught work
7. Rathi
One of the most common breeds of cows in India is the rathi. The borders of Punjab and Rajasthan are where this breed originated. These cows have white spots all over their brown bodies. These cows also have coat hues of full brown or black. This kind of cow serves two purposes.
Characteristics:
- Color: Brown with white patches
- Milk Yield: 6-10 liters per day
- Special Feature: Good for milk production in dry regions
8. Ongole
The Ongole breed, a famous dairy breed in India, is native to Andhra Pradesh and produces a lot of milk. This breed’s milk is prized for having a high fat level. These cows are well-built and have nice physiques.
Characteristics:
- Color: White or grey
- Milk Yield: 3-5 liters per day
- Special Feature: Strong and muscular, used for draught work
9. Krishna Valley
Krishna Valley cows originate from Maharashtra and Karnataka and they are large and powerful. These cows yield moderate amounts of milk and are also utilized for agricultural purposes.
Characteristics:
- Color: Greyish-white
- Milk Yield: 5-8 liters per day
- Special Feature: Large and strong, used in agriculture
Conclusion
This article has covered the variety of cow breeds found in India, including dairy, dual-purpose, and drought-tolerant varieties. It’s clear that India has a wide variety of cow breeds. In these breeding initiatives, notable native breeds and high-yielding foreign breeds are crossed.
