TUMAKURU: Cattle in Karnataka could soon have ear tags with a 12-digit unique identification number akin to the Aadhaar number in order to conserve desi breeds!
Officers of the department of animal husbandry are set to borrow information about cattle from the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB). In some states like Maharashtra, the concept of unique ID has been introduced for cattle for different purposes, including for tracking the breeding cycle.
In Karnataka, however, the objective would be to conserve local breeds and save them from extinction. As per the new breeding policy, the blood-line in the cross of an exotic breed should not cross 50 per cent as the animals would develop diseases including the foot-and-mouth disease, after passing on to the third generation.
According to Mr Harsha Gupta, principal secretary, department of animal husbandry, scientific tracking would help enhance the scope for breed improvement. The proposal to provide poly-urethane laser printed ear tags to over 25 lakh heads of cattle would cost Rs 2.5 crores.
