ICAR-National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources on 25th October 2021 organized the 3rd Interface Meet (online) with Maharashtra state on ‘Characterization and Documentation of Animal Genetic Resources of Maharashtra: A Mission towards Zero Non-Descript Population’. Earlier bureau had the interface with Ladakh (UT) and Chhattisgarh states for Mission towards Zero Non-descript. The VC meet was attended by more than 125 participants of ICAR, Maharashtra Animal & Fishery Sciences University (MAFSU), Deptt of Animal Husbandry, NGOs etc.
In his address, Col (Dr.) Ashish Motiram Paturkar, Vice Chancellor, MAFSU, Nagpur emphasized upon the characterization of lesser known native populations of Maharashtra and assured for providing necessary support to achieve the targets of the mission. Shri. Sachindra Pratap Singh, IAS, Commissioner of Animal Husbandry, Maharashtra, highlighted the need of conservation and improvement of native AnGR, along with working for zero non-descript mission; completing through the participation of various stakeholders in the state. Dr V K Saxena, ADG (AP&B), ICAR congratulated ICAR-NBAGR for taking up the challenging task of the Mission towards Zero ND in India and initiating the activity in UT-Ladakh. He suggested to explore the non-descript populations in tribal regions as well as pastoral communities in the state. He further ensured full support from council in achieving the goal of the zero non-descript AnGR mission. At the outset of the meeting, Dr B P Mishra, Director, ICAR-NBAGR highlighted the essence of bureau’s activities and the way forward to the mission towards zero non-descript AnGR of the country. During the meet, experts of NBAGR, MAFSU, Deptt of AH, Maharashtra and NGOs also deliberated on the Maharashtra AnGR for characterization and conservation of native breeds of the state.