Guwahati: Assam’s indigenous poultry wealth has received a major boost with two local breeds—the Nagi duck and the Rajdigheli goose—gaining national recognition from the National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR), the Government of India’s apex body for livestock and poultry germplasm registration.
The recognition, approved during a recent NBAGR meeting under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), places both breeds in the national register, giving them formal identity and protection. Officials say the move will strengthen conservation, promote scientific utilisation of indigenous germplasm, and position Assam more prominently in livestock biodiversity at both national and global levels.
The Nagi duck, native to Assam’s Barak Valley—particularly Cachar and Sribhumi—has long been reared by rural households for its adaptability and productivity. With the capacity to lay around 150 eggs a year, the duck plays a vital economic role for small farmers. Its recognition comes after nearly 25 years of research that began under an ICAR Adhoc project. The documentation was led by retired professor Dr. Galib Uz Zaman, with support from Professor Dr. Jogadev Mahanta, Professor Dr. Arpana Das, Dr. Bedanta Pathak and Dr. Niranjan Kalita, Vice-Chancellor of the Assam Veterinary and Fishery University.
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The Rajdigheli goose, another indigenous Assamese breed, has been similarly registered following an application submitted by Professor Dr. Bula Das and her team from the College of Veterinary Science, Khanapara, with Vice-Chancellor Dr. Kalita’s support.
Scientists note that this achievement adds to Assam’s growing list of nationally recognised indigenous livestock breeds and aligns with India’s policy focus on conserving native genetic resources critical to ecology, culture and rural livelihoods.
