Cows are considered to have been one of the first animals domesticated by man for agricultural purposes. They were tamed to provide milk, meat and hides and for draft purposes. Where and when exactly this domestication started is not clearly documented historically, but it is thought cow were probably first domesticated in Europe and Asia about 8500 years ago. Domesticated cow belong to the family Bovidae, which includes ruminants with paired, hollow, unbranched horns that do not shed and an even number of toes. Species belonging to the family Bovidae that are so closely related to true cow that they can interbreed include the bison, buffalo, and yak. Although Indian cow and their germplasm are not officially being exported presently, on account the prevalence of a number of diseases in the country, there is still a demand for the germplasm to upgrade foreign stocks. Purely on the basis of development of cow of Indian origin, especially the heavy breeds, Brazil has become one of the largest exporters of meat to the external world. The National Commission on Cow is concerned with the issue of slaughter of cow and feels that indiscriminate or clandestine export of live cow or germplasm, ostensibly for breeding purposes should be stopped. Even if the cow / germplasm is going for breeding, one should bear in mind that the breeding is only for the purposes of meat or beef production. In view of our feelings against cow slaughter in general, whether such slaughter occurs within the country or on foreign shores, we should not be instrumental in furthering such activities. It is not as if the country is losing millions of dollars in foreign exchange if the exports are stopped as the potential earnings are quite insignificant. On the other hand, a ban on exports would help to conserve our germplasm for further propagation and upgradation of our own genetic resources, which are fast depleting.
cow, challenges, opportunities, genetic improvement, indigenous, breed, productivity, Asia, India
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