A nucleus herd will be established in each district for goat breeding, initially comprising 20 males and 200 females of the native breeds/local varieties, the policy said. File
| Photo Credit: The Hindu
The Tamil Nadu Goat & Sheep Breeding Policy, recently unveiled by the State Government, has advocated for an open nucleus breeding system for goats and for selective breeding within the breed with superior rams for sheep. The policy aims to improve sheep and goat for better production, to conserve local breeds and to explore registration of native/local breeds in ICAR-NBAGR.
Artificial Insemination (AI) will be introduced and promoted through pilot projects to enhance genetic potential, the policy said. “Nucleus farms will be established to serve as sources of elite breeding stock, facilitating the multiplication, conservation, and dissemination of superior germplasm for upgrading nondescript animals.” It aims for upgrading non-descript native sheep and goat populations for improved meat production.
As per the 20th Livestock Census, the sheep population was 45 lakh, and the goat population was 98 lakh in Tamil Nadu. Mecheri, Kilakarisal, Vembur, Coimbatore, Madras Red, Ramnad White, Katchaikatty Black, Nilgiri, Tiruchi Black and Chevaadu are the recognised sheep breeds in Tamil Nadu, and Kanni Adu, Kodi Adu and Salem Black are the recognised goat breeds in the State. “The people of Tamil Nadu are mostly non-vegetarian, and as a result the demand of meat and meat products in the State is very high,” the policy said.
A nucleus herd will be established in each district for goat breeding, initially comprising 20 males and 200 females of the native breeds/local varieties, the policy said. “Breeding within the nucleus herd will produce male and female progenies, which will again be evaluated based on traits such as growth rate, body structure, and dam performance.” Selected progenies will be retained for further breeding, strictly preventing inbreeding within the nucleus, it said.
“The top-performing male offspring from the above process will be chosen as breeding bucks and distributed to the field or block level for widespread use, either through natural service or Artificial Insemination (AI),” it further said.
The policy also drew an action plan that has strategies for establishing nucleus herds, data recording systems, semen production units, a plan for pure breeding, an animal information system, livestock insurance and credit programmes, among others. The policy further provides for cooperative societies for sheep and goat rearers, certification for production of bucks and rams, formation of technical committee, among others.
Published – November 29, 2025 04:36 pm IST
