India's apex agricultural and rural development bank NABARD is planning to implement a scheme to conserve the 'Kasargod Dwarf' cow, one of the tiniest cow breed in the world, facing extinction.
The dwarf cow, endemic to the northern district Kasargod in the south Indian state of Kerala, is a contender for the entry into the Guinness Book of Records for its unique small
size. But, local people are not showing much interest in rearing them as they could yield only two litres of milk a day.
Considering the factors, the bank has come up with a scheme to formulate self-help groups to promote rearing of the breed.
As part of the plan, a census will be conducted in villages like Badiyadka, Enmakaje, Kumbadaje and Karaduka to enumerate the exising dwarf cows.
Later, a string of self-help groups comprising local people will be set up, NABARD sources said.
Local people said the arrival of commercially viable foreign and cross breed cows, which could yield more milk than the native variety is the main reason for the dwindling
interest for the tiny cows. Only less than 2000 of the species are remaining here now, according to unofficial figures.
"The programme will help to protect the species from becoming extincted. It will also help to market the high quality milk produced by the dwarf cows," a local cow rearer
in the district said.
Known as 'kitchen cow' locally, 'Kasaragode Dwarf' is reputed for the high quality milk it produces which has rich nutritional and medicinal value. Their urine and dung contain elements that enrich the soil, local people said.