(ISSN: 2817-3457; CODEN: PPAAC2; DOI: 10.33002/pp) is an international, scientific double blind peer-reviewed open access journal published annually (once a year) online by The Grassroots Institute.
Open Access—free for readers, with article processing charges (APC) paid by authors or their institutions.
High Visibility: Indexing is proposed in the WoS, Scopus and other databases.
Fast Publication: Primary acceptance to the submitted article is given in 1 week time. After consent of author(s), manuscript is peer-reviewed, and a first decision provided to authors in 2-4 weeks after submission.
Recognition of Reviewers: The reviewers who provide timely, thorough peer-review reports receive vouchers entitling them to a discount on the APC of their next publication in the journal, in appreciation of the work done. Reviewers also receive Certificate for their voluntary service.
Gradually, pasturelands are being converted into other land uses or enclosed for exclusive uses under various national laws or policies. Resilience of pastoralist communities to the changing environments – ecological, economic and political – has great potential to protecting and conserving the pastureland landscapes or waterscapes. Such resilience is more talked in context of climate change and its impact on the herder communities surviving in marginal environments. In the view of widespread regional and national policy failures and modernity-catalyzed societal rejection of transhumance and nomadic pastoralism, International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists 2026 declared by the United Nations General Assembly is a grand opportunity for all to revitalize the least-external-input driven systems of livestock raising and mobility across the continents. This international blind peer-review journal, ‘Pastures & Pastoralism’, will contribute to the science, policy and practice across the world by providing a novel platform to seasoned, budding and young scientists, experts and practitioners, including the pastoral community members.
Kanna K. Siripurapu*1, Faisal Moola2, Shilpi Sharma3, Anushree Sainger4,
Kameswara Rao Kotamraju5
1School of Arts and Design, Woxsen University, Sangareddy District, Hyderabad - 502 345. India.
Email: kanna.siripurapu@gmail.com | ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1244-4373
2Department of Geography, Environment and Geomatics at the University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Guelph, Ontario, Canada N1G 2W1. Email: fmoola@uoguelph.ca ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9803-8514
3Telangana State Biodiversity Board, Hyderabad, Telangana, India.
Email: shilpibiodiversity@gmail.com | ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0003-2809-7959
4MART Global Management Solutions, Sutra Consulting Pvt. Ltd., Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India.
Email: anushreesinghvns@gmail.com | ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0009-9899-5475
5Department of Environmental Sciences, Andhra University, Visakhapatnam, India.
Email: kotamrajukkrao@gmail.com | ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5826-9622
*Corresponding author
Pastures & Pastoralism, 02, 49-81. Doi: https://doi.org/10.33002/pp0204
Received: 14 January 2023
Reviewed: 21 February 2023
Revised: 13 May 2024
Accepted: 15 May 2024
Published: 20 May 2024
No. of Views:
No. of Full Paper Views:
No. of Paper Downloads:
Indigenous technical knowledge (ITK) of livestock breeding is often tacit and not necessarily expressed in conventional forms of scientific research and documentation. Indigenous livestock breeding systems rely mostly on qualitative traits than pure quantitative qualities. Qualitative traits are difficult to measure and most of the indigenous knowledge systems are in forms of qualitative traits. The lack of documentation and predominant qualitative nature makes it difficult to validate the ITK related to livestock breeding. In this context a study was conducted to examine the traditional breeding practices associated with two heritage cattle breeds of the Deccan Plateau region of India. The study examines the criteria used for selection of the breeding bulls of the indigenous Poda Thurpu and Nallmala-Pasa/Kamma, cattle breeds native to the study area. Results of the study identifies fourteen traits specific to breeding bulls and four traits that are generic to the breeding stock/cows. These traits/characteristics are ‘deemed desirable’ by the local cattle breeders for the ‘heritage breeds’, believed to have been bred and managed by them for generations. Observations of the present study supports the notion that traditional breeders of heritage breeds lay more emphasis on qualitative traits (ability to warding-off predators, fending off-springs, coat colour and texture, gait of the animal, temperament, and response and obedience to instructions of the master) than quantitative traits. It was found that local breeders give significant importance to the fertility of bovine bulls than cows. Breeding bulls are meticulously chosen with extreme caution and care, following a very long and meticulous selection process that could last for four years. Traditionally local cattle breeders of the study follow open nucleus breeding system for breeding and are strictly against promotion of inbreeding among their cattle herds. Only men are involved in cattle breeding in the study area and women usually stay away.
Heritage breeds, Indigenous cattle, Pastoralists, Deccan Plateau, Indigenous technical knowledge (ITK)
Aierqing, S., Nakagawa, A., Ouchi, Y., & Bungo, T. (2020). The effect of facial hair whorl position and
Aksu, F., Baykara, B., Ergın, C., & Arman, C. (2013). Phenotypic features in autistic individuals: The
AP (Andhra Pradesh) Government (2019). Kurnool District. Retrieved from:
Balaji. S. N., & Chakravarthy, P. C. (2010). Ethnoveterinary practices in India – A review. Veterinary
World, 3(12), 549-551.
Bawa, K. S., Sengupta, A., Chavan, V., Chellam, R., Ganesan, R., Krishnaswamy, J., Mathur, V. B., Nawn,
Berkes, F., & Turner, N. J. (2006). Knowledge, Learning and the Evolution of Conservation Practice
for Social-Ecological System Resilience. Human Ecology, 34(4), 479-494.
Bhaduri, S., & Singh, A. (2012). Decline of traditional water harvesting systems during British India:
Bondoc, O.L. & Smith, C. (1993). Deterministic genetic analysis of open nucleus breeding schemes
Bora, S.K. (2022). Embryo sexing methods in bovine and its application in animal breed. Journal of
Borthakur, A., & Singh, P. (2012). Indigenous Technical Knowledge (ITK) and their Role in
Sustainable Grassroots Innovations: An Illustration in Indian Context. In Proceedings of International Conference on Innovation & Research in Technology for Sustainable Development (ICIRT 2012), p. 38.
Broucek J., Uhrincat, M., Kisac, P., & Hanus A. (2004). Hair Whorl Position as a Predictor of Learning
Bruchac, M. (2014). Indigenous Knowledge and Traditional Knowledge. In Smith, C. (Ed.),
Encyclopedia of Global Archaeology, 3814-3824. New York: Springer.
Butler, M.L., Bormann, J.M., Weaber, R.L., Grieger, D.M., and Rolf, M. (2020). Selection for bull
Casabianca, F., & Vallerand, F. (1994). Gerer les races locales d’animaux domestiques: une
CBD (Convention on Biological Diversity) (2021). Traditional Knowledge, Innovations and
Census (2011). Amrabad Mandal – Mahbubnagar. Population Census (2011). Government of India.
Clay, J. (2004). World agriculture and environment, Island Press, Washington DC, pp. 568.
Couse, A. (2015). Cowlicks: An Indicator of Attitude? Cornell Cooperative Extension of Jefferson
Craft, W. A., & Warner, E. A. (1934). Observation on different types of hair whorls in mammals and
Cresswell, J. W. (2013). Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design, Choosing Among Five approaches.
Cruz, V. A. R., de A. Lima, D. F. P., Diaz, I. D. P. S., Curi, R. A., Costa, R. B., & de Camargo, G. M. F.
Csabi, G., Zsuppán, R., Jeges, S., & Tényi, T. (2014). Minor physical anomalies are more common in
children with idiopathic epilepsy. Neuropsychopharmacol Hung, 16, 115–20.
DAFW (Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare) (2022). Rainfed Farming System. DAFW,
DAHD (Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying) (2023). Annual Report 2022 – 23. DAHD,
De Amitendu, H. P., Arya, S., Tudu, B., & Goswami, A. (2004). Indigenous Technical Knowledge in
De Villiers, A.K. (1996). Quantifying Indigenous Knowledge: A Rapid Method for Assessing Crop
Deesing, M. (2020). Temperament traits and hair whorls. Folklore and Science. Deesing Livestock
Devaki, K., & Mathialagan, P. (2015). Animal husbandry traditional knowledge in Kancheepuram
Devendra, C. (2012). Agroforestry and silvopastoral systems potential to enhance food security and
DTE (Down To Earth) (1997). Vanishing Breeds. Down To Earth, New Delhi. Retrieved from:
Dubeux, J. C. B., Jr., Sollenberger, L. E., Gaston, L. A, Vendramini, J. M. B., Interrante, S. M., & Stewart,
Dubeux, J. C. B., Jr., Sollenberger, L. E., Mathews, B. W., Schoberg, J. M., & Santos, H. Q. (2007).
Dwivedi, P. (2022). Development and conservation of indigenous cattle breed Kenkatha
Encina, A., Ligero, M., Sanchez-Guerrero, M. J., Los Terreros, A. R., Bartolome, E., & Valera, M. (2023).
FAO (The Food and Agriculture Organization of UN) (1999). Agricultural Biodiversity,
FAO (The Food and Agriculture Organization of UN) (2023). Animal Production. FAO of the UN.
Fereday, J., & Muir-Cochrane, M. (2006). Demonstrating Rigor Using Thematic Analysis: A Hybrid
Francis, J. J., Johnston, M., Robertson, C., Glidewell, L., Entwistle, V., Eccles, M. P., & Grimshaw, J. M.
Ghai, R. (2022). Over half of India’s cattle, goat, sheep and swine are non-descript: Government.
Grandin, T., Deesing, M. J., Struthers, J. J., & Swinker, A. M. (1995). Cattle with hair whorl patterns
Groeneveld, L. F., Lenstra J. A., Eding H., Toro, M. A., Scherf, B., Pilling, D., Negrini, R., Finlay, E. K.,
Haynes, R. J., & Williams, P. H. (1993). Nutrient Cycling and Soil Fertility in the Grazed Pasture
Holtzman, J. S., (1986). Rapid Reconnaissance Guidelines for Agricultural Marketing and Food
ICAR (Indian Council of Agricultural Research) (2004). Validation of Indigenous Technical
ICAR-NBAGR (ICAR-National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources) (2023). Registration of Farm
ICAR-NBAGR (ICAR-National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources) (2022). New breed registered.
ICAR-NBAGR (ICAR-National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources) (2010). Breed Registration:
IFPRI and ILRI (2000). Property rights, risk, and livestock development in Africa. In: McCarthy N.,
IRIN (UN Integrated Regional Information Networks) (2007). Africa: Can pastoralism survive in the
Jacob, C. T., Parida, A., & Kumar, K. K. (2020). Conservation of India’s agrobiodiversity towards increasing
Jaritz, G., Klenovec, C., & Schipflinger, F. (2010). Rote Listen gefährdeter Tiere Österreichs: Alte
Kiil, V. (1948). Frontal hair direction in mentally deficient individuals with special reference to
Klar, A. J. S. (2003). Human handedness and scalp hair- whorl direction develop from a common
Klar, A. J. S. (2005). A 1927 Study Supports a Current Genetic Model for Inheritance of Human Scalp
Kohler-Rollefson, I., & League for Pastoral Peoples (2003). Community-based management of
Kothari, A. (1997). Conserving India’s Agrobiodiversity: Prospects and policy implications.
Lanier, J. L., Grandin, T., Green, R., Avery, D., & McGee, K. (2001). A note on hair whorl position and
Leech, N. L., & Onwuegbuzie, A. J., (2007). An Array of Qualitative Data Analysis Tools: A Call for
Lillebo, S. (2014). Correlation between hair whorls and different types of behaviour in dogs (Canis
Livestock Census (2019). The 20th Livestock Census of India-Key Results (Provisional). Ministry of
LPPS (Lokhit Pashu Palak Sansthan), & Köhler-Rollefson, I. (2005). Indigenous Breeds, Local
Luo, J., Huang, H., Qiao, H., Tan, J., Chen, W., Zhang, M., Ruiz-Linares, A., Wang, J., Yang, Y., Jin, L.,
Headon, D. J., & Wang, S. (2023). GWASs Identify Genetic Loci Associated with Human Scalp Hair Whorl Direction. Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 143(10), 2065-2068.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jid.2023.04.008.
Mahto, V.K. (2012). Study on indigenous technical knowledge (ITK) in animal husbandry among
Malathi, M., Chandrasekhar, L., & Thappa, D. M. (2013). Multiple hair whorls in a child with normal
Manomohan, V., Saravanan, R., Pichler, R., Murali, N., Sivakumar, K., Sudhakar, K., Naciappan, R. K., &
Marsoner, T., Vigl, L. E., Manck, F., Jaritz, G., Tappeiner, U., 7 Tasser, E. (2018). Indigenous livestock
Mashelkar, R. A. (2003). The Golden Triangle. Bio Spectrum. The Business of Bio and Health
McDonald, J. H. (2011). Myths of Human Genetics. Sparky House Publishing, Baltimore, Maryland.
Mir, I., Rautela, A., & Nimbalkar, V. (2020). Use of ethno veterinary medicine (EVM) in India for
Mishra, A. K., Rama Rao, C. A., Subrahmanyam, K. V., Babu, M. V. S., Shivarudrappa, B., &
MoEFCC (The Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change) (2022). Annual Report 2021-
MoEFCC (The Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change) (2018). Annual Report 2017-
MoFAHD (Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying) (2022). 20th Livestock Census.
Natarajan, A., Chander, M., & Bharathy, N. (2016). Relevance of Draught Cattle Power and its Future
Natarajan, S. N. S., Kumar, R., & Reddy, M.T. (2018). Chapter 8: Agrobiodiversity in India: Status and
Nayar M. P., Singh A. K., & Nair, K.N. (2009). Agrobiodiversity Hotspots in India: Conservation and
Niranjan S. K., Kumar, A., Vineeth, M. R., Mohan, G., & Jayakumar, S. (2018). Status of dairy animal
Nivsarkar, A. E., Vij, P. K., & Tantia, M. S. (2013). Animal Genetic Resources of India – Cattle and
NMSA (National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture) (2019). Rainfed Area Development. NMSA,
Govt. of India. Retrieved from: https://nmsa.dac.gov.in/.
Nori, M., Switzer, J., & Crawford, A. (2005). Herding on the brink: towards a global survey of
pastoral communities and conflict. An occasional paper. IUCN Commission on Environmental, Economic and Social Policy, Gland, Switzerland. Retrieved from:
www.iisd.org/publications/pub.aspx?id=705/.
NSO (The National Statistical Office) (2022). First Revised Estimates of National Income,
Consumption Expenditure, Saving and Capital Formation, 2020-21. Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation. Govt. of India. Retrieved from: https://shorturl.at/uXD1c.
Ogar, E., Pecl, G., & Mustonen, T. (2020). Science Must Embrace Traditional and Indigenous
Outlook (2021). Kerala’s Periyar Cow gets new lease of life in the face of extinction. Outlook, 08 July
Padmakumar, V. (1998). Farmers’ reliance on Ethnoveterinary practices to cope with common
Phaniraja, K. L., & Panchasara, H. H. (2009). Indian draught animal power. Veterinary World, 2(10),
Prajuli, D. R., & Das, T. (2013). Indigenous Knowledge and Biodiversity Interconnectedness for
Prakash, N., Roy, S.S., & Ngachan, V. (n.d.). Role of ITK in conservation agriculture: Blending
Quelhas, J., Santiago, J., Matos, B., Rocha, A., Lopes, G., & Fardilha, M. (2021). Bovine semen sexing:
Rajan, S. & Sethuraman, M. (1997). Traditional veterinary practices in rural areas of Dindigul
district, Tamilnadu, India. Indigenous Knowledge and Development Monitor, 5(3), 15.
Rangnekar, D.V. (1998). Random thoughts on Ethno veterinary Practices and their Validation in
Ravikumar, R.K., Thakur, D., Choudhary, H., Kumar, V. , Kinhekar, A. S., Garg, T., Ponnusamy, K.,
Ruiz-Maldonado, R. (2002). A previously unreported syndrome of multiple scalp whorls and
associated anomalies. Clin Exp Dermatol., 27, 21–3.
Sechi, A., Neri, I., Patrizi, A., Starace, M., Savoia, F., Leuzzi, M., Dante Caposiena Caro, R., & Piraccini,
Shagun (2023). India now has 212 indigenous livestock breeds after ICAR-NBAGR registers 10 new
Sharma, V. P., Kohler-Rollerfson I., 7 Morton, J. (2003). Pastoralism in India. A Scoping Study. DFID,
Shrivastava, A. K., Khandelwal, N. K., Dubey, R. K., & Guru, P. K. (2021). Long term study of declining
Shrivastava, K., Sinha, R., Pathak, P., & Nayak, V.K. (2018). Open nucleus breeding system to
Shubeena, S., Hai, A., Hamdani, S.A. & Akand, A.H. (2018). Indigenous Technical Knowledge (ITKs)
Silveira, M. L., Joao, M. B., Vendramini, M. B., da Silva, H. M., & Azenha, M. (2013). Nutrient Cycling in
Simon, P. B., Joseph, J. O., Ochieng, J. W., Tiambo, C. K., Tarekegn, G. M., Machuka, E. M., Kabange, D.,
Singh, S. P., & Singh, S. (2021). Farm power availability and its perspective in Indian agriculture.
Siripurapu, K. K. (2022). Policy Brief: Extension of the National Programme for Bovine Breeding
Siripurapu, K. K. (2023). The traditional sheep penning system: An exploratory study on farmers’
Siripurapu, K. K., & Iyengar, S. (2023). Biocultural diversity and culture animals in mobile
Siripurapu, K. K., Das, S., Pundir, R. K., Tantia, M. S., Akinepalli, V. R., & Reddy, M. (2019b).
Siripurapu, K. K., Das, S., Sharma, S., Akinepalli, V. R., Reddy, M., & Yadav, V. (2019a).
Siripurapu, K. K., Iyengar, S. Saberwal, V., & Das, S. (2020). An Overview of Mobile Pastoralism in
Siripurapu, K. K., Kulkarni, S., & Das, S. (2021). Understanding the Indigenous socio-cultural,
Slade, J., & Yoong, P. (2014). The Types of Indigenous Knowledge to be retained for Young New
Smith, D. W., & Gong, B.T. (1974). Scalp-hair patterning: Its origin and significance relative to early
Smith, D. W., 7 Gong, B. T. (1973). Scalp hair patterning as a clue to early foetal brain development.
Sollenberger, L. E., Dubeux, Jr, J. C. B., Santos, H. Q., & Mathews, B. W. (2002). "Nutrient Cycling in
Soni, M. L., Subbulakshmi, V., Yadava, N. D., Tewari, J. C., & Dagar, J. C. (2016). Silvopastoral
Sow, S., & Ranjan, S. (2021). Indigenous Technical Knowledge (ITK) for Sustainable Agriculture in
Srivastava, A. K., Patel, J. B., Ankuya, K. J., Chauhan, H. D., Pawar, M. M., & Gupta, J. P. (2019).
Strauss, A. L. (1987). Qualitative Analysis for Social Scientists. Cambridge: Cambridge University
Swiderska, K. (2020). Protecting indigenous cultures is crucial for saving the world’s biodiversity.
Tada, O., Muchenje, V., & Dzama, K. (2013). Preferential traits for breeding Nguni cattle in low-input
in-situ conservation production systems. SpringerPlus, 2, 195.
Telangana Gov ernment (2019). Nagarkurnool. Retrieved from:
Tirosh, E., Jaffe, M., & Dar, H. (1987). The clinical significance of multiple hair whorls and their
Tomkins, L. M., & McGreevy, P. D. (2010). Hair whorls in the dog (Canis familiaris), Part II:
UNCCD (United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification) (2017). Drylands. In: Global Land
Venkateswarlu, B., Singh, A.K., Prasad, G., Chary, R., Rao, S.C., Rao, K.V., Ramana, D.B.V., and Rao,
Siripurapu, K.K., Moola, F., Sharma, S., Sainger, A., & Kotamraju, K.R. (2024). Validation of the Indigenous Technical Knowledge of Cattle Pastoralists of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, India. Pastures & Pastoralism, 02, 49-81. https://doi.org/10.33002/pp0204
Siripurapu, K.K., Moola, F., Sharma, S., Sainger, A. and Kotamraju, K.R. (2024). Validation of the Indigenous Technical Knowledge of Cattle Pastoralists of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, India. Pastures & Pastoralism, 02: 49-81. DOI: https://doi.org/10.33002/pp0204
Siripurapu K.K., Moola F., Sharma S., Sainger A., Kotamraju, K.R. Validation of the Indigenous Technical Knowledge of Cattle Pastoralists of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, India. Pastures & Pastoralism, 2024, 02, 49-81. https://doi.org/10.33002/pp0204
Siripurapu, K. Kanna, Moola, Faisal, Sharma, Shilpi, Sainger, Anushree, & Kotamraju, Kameswara Rao. 2024. “Validation of the Indigenous Technical Knowledge of Cattle Pastoralists of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, India”. Pastures & Pastoralism, 02: 49-81. https://doi.org/10.33002/pp0204
Siripurapu, K. Kanna, Faisal Moola, Shilpi Sharma, Anushree Sainger and Kameswara Rao Kotamraju. 2024. “Validation of the Indigenous Technical Knowledge of Cattle Pastoralists of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, India”. Pastures & Pastoralism, 02: 49-81. https://doi.org/10.33002/pp0204
Crossref: | https://doi.org/10.33002/pp0204 |
EuroPub: | |
Scilit: | https://www.scilit.net/publications/ff970c5324ddc6ee90f19f7633a58a8b |
Publons: | |
SSRN: | |
Cite Factor: | https://shorturl.at/0eQhJ |
Academia.edu: | https://shorturl.at/r0ku2 |
Dimensions: | https://shorturl.at/6Cx0y |
ZENODO: | https://zenodo.org/records/13150795 |
OpenAIRE: | https://explore.openaire.eu/search/dataset?pid=10.33002%2Fpp0204 |
Scribd: | https://www.scribd.com/document/755252172/Pp0204-Siripurapuetal-d |
ScienceGate: | |
J-Gate: | |
Research Gate: | https://shorturl.at/xXG5l |
Google Scholar: | |
Harvard Dataverse: | https://dataverse.harvard.edu/dataset.xhtml?persistentId=doi%3A10.7910%2FDVN%2FYO9QYI&version=DRAFT |
FAO-AGRIS: |
Internet Archive: | https://archive.org/details/pp0204-siripurapuetal.d |
WorldCat: | https://search.worldcat.org/de/title/10242735102?oclcNum=10242735102 |
© 2024 by the author(s). Licensee Grassroots Journal of Natural Resources. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). We allow to freely share (copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format) and adapt (remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially) with a legal code: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode.
Grassroots Journal of Natural Resources by The Grassroots Institute is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Based on a work at www.grassrootsjournals.org.
We support:
Executive Chief Editor
Dr. Hasrat Arjjumend
President & CEO
The Grassroots Institute, Canada
Associate Editor
Dr. Aayushi Malhotra
Birla Institute of Technology and Sciences-Pilani, Rajasthan, India
Dr. Hongxi Du
Assistant Professor
Hetao College, Linhe District, Bayannur City, Inner Mongoia, China
* Dr. Hijaba Ykhanbai (Mongolia)
* Dr. Saverio Krätli (Germany)
* Dr. Ayman Balla Mustafa Yassien (Libya)
* Dr. Nma Bida Alhaji (Nigeria)
* Prof. Germana Henry Laswai (Tanzania)
* Prof. Dr. Josiane Manirakiza (Burundi)
* Dr. D. K. Sadana (India)
* Mr. Kanna Kumar Siripurapu (India)
* Dr. Smruti Smita Mohapatra (India)
* Dr. Avik Ray (India)
* Dr. Palden Tsering (China)
Go to Top