Karan Fries and Vrindavani

India has registered two high-yielding synthetic cattle breeds, taking the total number of registered livestock and poultry breeds in the country to 246. The registration certificates were presented on 16 January 2026.

Event and Authority

• The certificates were presented by Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
• The event was organised by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research–National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (ICAR-NBAGR).

About the Newly Registered Synthetic Cattle Breeds

The two newly registered synthetic cattle breeds are:

1. Karan Fries

• Developed by: National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI), Karnal, Haryana
• Genetic Composition:
  • Indigenous Tharparkar cows
  • Exotic Holstein-Friesian bulls
• Key Feature: High milk productivity under Indian conditions

2. Vrindavani

• Developed by: ICAR–Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh
• Genetic Composition:
  • Exotic breeds: Holstein-Friesian, Brown Swiss, Jersey
  • Indigenous breed: Hariana cattle
• Key Feature: Adaptability combined with high milk yield

Milk Yield Significance

• These synthetic breeds can produce over 3,000 kg of milk during a 10-month lactation period.
• This is significantly higher than most indigenous cattle breeds, which typically yield 1,000–2,000 kg during the same period.

Broader Significance

• The registration strengthens India’s livestock genetic resource base.
• High-yielding synthetic breeds help:
  • Improve milk productivity
  • Enhance farmer income
  • Support the growth of the dairy sector
• The initiative aligns with national goals of livestock development, food security, and rural prosperity.