September 2026
Sustainable livestock production is possible even under challenging conditions. Farmers in the Himalayan hills of Uttarakhand, show how traditional practices can be combined with modern innovations to create systems that benefit people, animals, and the environment. Backed by the government and the institutional support, the experience highlights how indigenous breeds, community-based initiatives and appropriate innovations can contribute to resilient and sustainable livestock systems.
In the Himalayan hills of Uttarakhand, cattle are not just animals. They are part of the family, the farm, and the culture. For generations, small farmers have depended on their cows for milk, manure, and draught power. In these mountains, where land is scarce and winters are long, cattle are the backbone of rural life.
Badri cattle are the traditional "Pahadi" cows that have been reared by communities for generations. The mountain communities rely largely on indigenous breeds like the petite Badri cow, found only in the hill districts. This breed can survive on limited resources, resist diseases, and thrive in cold conditions.
But keeping cattle in the Himalayas is not easy. Fodder is one of the biggest challenges in the hills. Every day, women and children walk long distances to collect leaves from oak, banj, and bhimal trees. They also gather grasses from alpine pastures. During winter, when green fodder is scarce, farmers depend on crop residues such as wheat straw and paddy husk. This hard work takes many hours and can place pressure on forest resources.
Besides fodder shortages, veterinary services are limited in remote villages, and markets are far away. Despite these challenges, farmers were managing their livestock in harmony with nature.
Recognizing the importance of the indigenous breed Badri cow for its unique A2 protein benefits in milk, the KVK and other institutions began promoting them under the official "Badri" name (recognized in 2016).
Further under the Rashtriya Gokul Mission and State Fodder Mission a collaborative initiative by Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) and the Animal Husbandry Department was promoted. The main objective was to reduce pressure on forests, improve cattle health, and increase milk yield. While the Rashtriya Gokul Mission and State Fodder Mission provide the overarching funding and policy support, the technical training was provided by the KVK and the Animal Husbandry Department.
Fodder promotion
To address fodder shortages and promote hybrid fodder production, initially trainings were organised. Training was conducted jointly by KVK scientists, field officers from the Uttarakhand Livestock Development Board (ULDB), and local NGOs working under UNDP-supported climate-resilient livelihood programmes. Around 1,450 farmers, over 70% of them women, across 42 villages in Chamoli, Champawat, and Pithoragarh districts were reportedly covered through training in terraced plantation techniques, root-slip propagation, contour planting for soil conservation, and strategic harvesting intervals.
Box 1: Badri Cow, the indigenous breed The most important indigenous cattle breed in Uttarakhand is the Badri cow, officially recognised in 2016. This small and hardy breed can live at high altitudes between 1,500 and 3,000 metres. Badri cattle occur in different coat colours, including white, black, brown, red, grey, and reddish brown. In both the Kumaon and Garhwal regions, surveyed Badri cattle were found mainly in three colours: black, brown, and grey. Badri cows feed on forest grasses and leaves, survive in cold weather, and are reported to have good resistance to diseases. Their milk yield is modest about 1.5 to 2 liters per day but the milk is valued for its A2 protein content. Urban consumers in cities such as Dehradun and Delhi are increasingly willing to pay a premium for A2 milk. Farmers often describe Badri cows as “low-cost, high-value.” They require relatively little care, provide manure for organic farming, and can also help in ploughing terraced fields. In contrast, crossbred cows such as Holstein Friesian or Jersey may yield 15 to 25 liters of milk but require expensive fodder, medicines, and veterinary care. For small farmers in the hills, Badri cows can therefore be more suitable because they fit the local environment and require less investment to maintain. A Badri cow is reported to live for about 12 years and produce around nine calves in her lifetime, making it a potentially sustainable choice for smallholders. |
Frost-tolerant Napier hybrid slips, such as CO-4 and Super Napier were introduced. Farmers started growing hybrid Napier grass along with berseem to ensure a year-round supply. Over 120 hectares have reportedly been brought under perennial fodder cultivation, engaging approximately 850 smallholder households across 28 hill villages. In some villages, lucerne and cowpea are also grown to provide protein-rich feed.
Cooperatives have started community fodder banks, where fodder is grown collectively and shared during shortages. In Chamoli district, women’s groups such as the Jai Nanda Devi Mahila Fodder Producers Group in Village Khyarki, Dasholi Block, grow fodder grass with technical guidance from KVK Chamoli. The initiative reportedly helped reduce forest dependence by nearly 20% over three years, demonstrating how community action can make a difference.
Value Addition and Market Opportunities
The demand for safe and healthy food has opened new market opportunities. A2 milk from Badri cows is now sold at premium prices. Some Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) and cooperatives have started making value-added products such as organic ghee, paneer, probiotic curd, and traditional bilona ghee. Branding these products as “heritage” or “organic” has helped attract urban consumers.
One of the examples highlighted is the Badri ghee traceability project in Champawat and Chamoli. Under the Digital Livestock Mission, each batch of ghee was reportedly given a QR code. Consumers could scan the code to check the origin, breed, and production process. Farmers were registered digitally, helping ensure authenticity. According to the article, this intervention increased farmer income by 30–40% compared to conventional ghee sales.
Consumers reportedly trusted the product more, and farmers were motivated to continue rearing Badri cows. By certifying ghee as “Badri-origin,” the project not only aimed to boost incomes but also created an incentive for conserving indigenous cattle. This model demonstrates how technology can connect traditional farming practices with modern markets. In Pithoragarh, farmers selling Badri milk as “organic A2” reportedly earned nearly double the price compared with normal milk. These examples suggest that indigenous breeds can become more profitable when linked with appropriate branding and consumer demand.
Technology, Cooperatives, and Policy Support
Technology is helping farmers in several ways. Pantnagar University and the Uttarakhand Livestock Development Board are working on selective breeding to improve Badri cows without compromising their hardiness. Artificial insemination centres provide pure Badri semen to maintain the breed. Some farmers in Haridwar and Dehradun use mobile applications for veterinary advice, record-keeping, and disease diagnosis. Solar-powered chaff cutters reduce the labour involved in cutting fodder, while compound feed made from local ingredients can help improve nutrition.
Cooperatives and local institutions are also important. In Haridwar and Dehradun, milk cooperatives collect milk from farmers, chill it, and sell it in bulk. This can provide farmers with better prices than selling individually. FPOs help farmers process milk into products such as ghee and paneer and market them in cities. Women’s self-help groups (SHGs) are especially active. They manage fodder plots, prepare silage, and run cooperative activities, helping to keep livestock farming inclusive and community-driven.
Government support has also been important. Uttarakhand has programmes for the conservation and development of Badri cattle, while subsidies are available for fodder cultivation and silage pits. National Livestock Missions support cooperatives and FPOs. Organic certification schemes can help farmers market milk and ghee at premium prices. Under the Rashtriya Gokul Mission, ₹365 lakh was allocated for Badri cattle development. Six high-genetic-merit bulls were inducted into the Rishikesh semen centre, producing over 20,000 semen doses. Pilot projects such as Badri ghee traceability also show how digital tools can help secure premium markets.
Conclusion
The journey from forest fodder to A2 milk shows how traditional practices can be combined with modern innovations. Indigenous breeds such as Badri cows, fodder innovations, cooperatives, and supportive policies together can create a more resilient livestock system. The Badri ghee traceability project illustrates how heritage farming can be linked with digital technology, contributing to both economic viability and ecological sustainability. By integrating digital traceability for heritage products such as ghee and fostering community-led fodder initiatives, these mountain communities are exploring ways to turn ecological constraints into economic opportunities.
Despite this progress, challenges remain. Fodder scarcity continues during harsh winters, veterinary services are limited in remote areas, market demand for value-added products can fluctuate, and youth migration reduces labour availability. Farmers therefore need continued support in fodder development, animal health services, new technologies, and marketing skills.
Ultimately, the Uttarakhand model shows the importance of synergy between government initiatives and the local knowledge of farmers. This story is not just about milk and ghee, it is about livelihoods, landscapes, and the future of farming in the Himalayas. It shows that small farmers, with their knowledge of nature and their willingness to adapt, can play a central role in building livestock systems that are environmentally sound, economically viable, and socially beneficial.
References
- Pal, A., Kumari, N. and Chopra, D.. 2026. A2 Milk from Indigenous Cattle: A Sustainable Pathway for Rural Livelihoods and Dairy Development in India. Vigyan Varta 7(06): 75–79.
- Dar, A.H., Kumar, S., Sodhi, M., Rahman, J.U., Yadav, S. and Baba, N.A.. (2022). Physical and Morphometric Characterisation of Badri Cattle. Journal of Animal Research, 12(02): 223–228.
- State Fodder Mission: Impact Assessment and Expansion in Hill Districts, Department of Animal Husbandry, Government of Uttarakhand (2024).
Paras Upadhyaya
Environment Specialist, UNDP India paras.upadhyaya@undpfocal.org
