National breed conservation award for 2021

Highlights:

• The National Breed Conservation Award for 2021 was presented, recently.
• The award has been bagged by “All-India Co-ordinated Research Project (AICRP)” on poultry breeding, Mannuthy, which carried under the Kerala Veterinary and Animal Science University (KVASU).
• It received the prestigious award from ICAR - the National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR) for the cause of conservation and research activities on Tellicherry breed.
• Tellicherry breed is the only registered native chicken breed in the state of Kerala.
• The award carries a prize money of Rs 10,000 and a citation.
• Award was presented at the Kisan Divas celebrations, which was organised by ICAR-NBAGR recently.

• The National Breed Conservation Award was established by ICAR - NBAGR. 
• It was established for centres or projects which contribute towards conservation and improvement of registered Indian breeds of domestic poultry and livestock.

• The AICRP started conserving the Tellicherry breed in 2014. 
• This breed started laying eggs in five months through scientific selection and management. 
• As a result of the research, annual egg production increased to 160-170 eggs.
• AICRP also started the genetic characterisation of the Tellicherry breed. 
• It played an important role in recognition of the breed.

• Tellicherry breed of Chicken derives its name from the name of a place in Kerala called Tellicherri, which is also known as Thalassery in Kannur district. 
• The breed is found mainly in Kozhikode district, while few are available in surrounding areas of Kannur and Malappuram districts. 
• They are reared mainly for meat. 
• They are also used in preparation of ayurvedic medicines to treat asthma and worm infestation.