VETERINARY COLLEGE AND RESEARCH INSTITUTE, TIRUNELVELI

DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL GENETICS AND BREEDING

The Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding was established during 2012 for offering Undergraduate courses to B.V.Sc& A.H students. The Department has well equipped computer laboratory with internet facilities for teaching Biostatistics and computer applications and an under graduate laboratory to teach Principles of Animal Genetics and Breeding. Apart from Undergraduate teaching, the Department involves in the survey, evaluation and Characterization of native breeds of livestock.

Objectives

To offer Animal Genetics and Breeding courses to undergraduate and postgraduate students.
To formulate and carryout research in the field of Animal Genetics and Breeding for livestock improvement.
To disseminate the research findings of this department for the benefit of the farming community.
To cater to the needs of stakeholders through training and advisory services.

Education

The department is offering the courses such as Biostatistics and Computer Application, Principles of Animal and Population Genetics and Principles of Animal Breeding in the subject of Animal Genetics and Breeding for UG students.

Research

Thrust areas of research: Long-term goals

Conservation of native breeds of small ruminants.
Genetics of disease resistance in livestock.
Candidate gene analysis for production traits in livestock.

Thrust areas of research: Short-term goals

Molecular characterization of native breeds of Southern Tamil Nadu.
Analysis of mastitis resistant genes in crossbred cows of Southern Tamil Nadu.
Analysis of Growth Hormone genes in association with production traits in small ruminants.

Ongoing Research Projects

S.No.	Title	Funding agency	Total outlay (Rs. in Lakhs)	Period
1	Establishment of a small ruminant research centre for in situ conservation of the native germplasm ofChevaadu, Ramnad White, Katchaikatty black sheep breeds at Southern Tamil Nadu in VCRI, Tirunelveli.	Government of Tamil Nadu	86.00	2 years
2	Establishment of Goat Research Centre at Chinnakovilankulam Village, Sankarankoil Taluk in Tenkasi District	Government of Tamil Nadu	151.70	2022-2024
3	Regional Centre for conservation of native dogs (Rajapalayam, Kanni, Chippiparai and Kombai) of Tamil Nadu at Tenkasi District.	Government of Tamil Nadu	72.55	2018-2023

Research projects completed

S.No	Title	Funding agency	Total outlay (Rs. in Lakhs)	Period
1.	Implementation ICAR – NCVTC SC SP in Tirunelveli and Thoothkudi Districts	ICAR-NCVTC	0.50	2018-2019
2	Implementation ICAR – NCVTC SC SP in Tirunelveli and Thoothkudi Districts	ICAR-NCVTC	3.50	2019-2020
3.	Implementation ICAR – NCVTC SC SP in Tirunelveli and Thoothkudi Districts	ICAR-NCVTC	6.00	2020-2021

Extension

This department actively involves in popularization of indigenous breeds of livestock and poultry to the farmers through events like exhibitions, camps, radio and television programmes, etc.
This department has prepared breed charts, pamphlets on livestock and poultry and it has been displayed and distributed to the farmers
This department renders the consultancy services to government farms on conservation and breeding of indigenous livestock.

Salient Achievements

Chevaadu, a native sheep breed was documented and registered in NBAGR, Karnal, Harayana.
Pattanam Sheep and Molai Goat were documented and submitted for registration in NBAGR, Karnal, Harayana.
Documented Pattaanam sheep farmers profile for receiving Breed Saviour Award.
Documented KodiAadu goat farmer profile for receiving Breed Saviour Award.
Documented Kilakarsal sheep farmers profile for receiving Breed Saviour Award.
Documented Chevaadu sheep farmers profile for receiving Breed Saviour Award.
Conducted a training programme cum distribution of farm inputs at Veterinary College and Research Institute, Tirunelveli under ICAR-Scheduled Caste Sub Plan. About 100 livestock farmers of Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi districts benefited by the programme.
Organized the Regional Level Seminar cum Exhibition for “Increasing the productivity in sheep and goatthrough scientific technologies” for the benefit of livestock farmers at VCRI, Tirunelveli.
Organized the Regional Level Seminar cum Exhibition for “Increasing the productivity of native chicken through scientific technologies” for the benefit of livestock farmers at VCRI, Tirunelveli.

Faculty

Dr.T.Ravimurugan, Ph.D., Associate Professor and Head
Dr.M.Seevagan, M.V.Sc., Assistant Professor
Dr.T.Karuthadurai, Ph.D., Assistant Professor

The Associate Professor and Head,
Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding,
Veterinary College and Research Institute, Tirunelveli - 627 358.
Phone: +91-462-2335075
E-mail: agbvcritni@tanuvas.org.in