Guwahati, Jan 13: Jitul Buragohain, a farmer from Sinai Gohai Gaon in Ghilamara of Assam’s Lakhimpur district, has received national recognition for his long-standing efforts to conserve the indigenous Luit buffalo breed, a rare genetic resource native to the state.
The ICAR–National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR), Karnal, has selected Buragohain for the Breed Conservation Award 2025, acknowledging his decades-long commitment to preserving the genetic purity of the Luit buffalo through traditional breeding practices and careful herd management. His work has played a crucial role in ensuring the survival of the breed for future generations.
The recognition follows the promotion of the Luit buffalo under the ICAR-NBAGR Network Project on Animal Genetic Resources in 2025, coordinated through Assam Veterinary and Fishery University. The project documented the breed’s resilience to floods, adaptability to Assam’s climate and its ability to thrive under low-input management systems, underlining its importance for sustainable livestock farming and biodiversity conservation.
Encouraged by the project’s principal investigator, Buragohain applied for the national honour. Reacting to the award, he said the recognition would motivate him and fellow farmers to continue protecting indigenous livestock breeds.
The award will be formally presented on January 14 at the National Agricultural Science Complex in New Delhi. Buragohain’s achievement highlights the vital role of community-driven conservation in safeguarding India’s native animal genetic resources.
