ICAR has taken up Buffalo genome sequencing project

New Delhi, Jul 5 (UNI) The Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR) has taken up a project for sequencing the buffalo genome in an effort to increase the productivity of the Indian livestock, which accounts for 18 per cent of the world's livestock population.

About 100 scientists have been identified for training in advanced laboratories within and outside the country for this purpose and 38 of them have already completed the training.

The project will be operationalised in Haryana-based ICAR institutes-- Karnal located National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR) and Hissar-based Central Institute for Research on Buffaloes(CIRB), according to ICAR Director General Mangal Rai here yesterday.

The genomic tools have come up as one of the very promising ways to increase the breed productivity, Dr Rai said adding that the overall performance of livestock population had to be assessed from the point of view of food resource availability.

A specific programme for accessing fodder seeds, therefore, needed to be taken up.

Since the genes do not have any specific barrier, there is no need to see the application of its tools in animals in isolation, he added.

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