Small ruminants seem to be the best choice of the livestock component to provide nutritional security of ever growing population and well-being of the society. Small ruminants are spread all over the world adapting well to varied geographical regions and have played significant role in the farmer's economy and maintaining livelihood security. Perhaps, both sheep and goats are preferred over other livestock species due to ease handling, early puberty, better reproduction rate, better body weight gain, early return and wide acceptability by consumers. There are 24 well defined goat and 40 sheep breeds spread across the country accounting for nearly one-third of its total population and the remaining two-third is lesser known, nondescript or unrecognized, but still they are well known for their production potential and adaptability. Nowadays, the small ruminants rearing as a means of livelihood is shifting to commercial enterprise and the poor foundation stock is observed to be one of the main hurdles in running a viable enterprise for longer period. At this juncture, the knowledge on the performance of few lesser known breeds will help the small ruminant keepers to have strong foundation stock while establishing the farms. The book contains 7 chapters covering introduction, the list of recognized as well as lesser known sheep and goat breeds and detailed information on lesser known goat breeds with references. The book has sizable information on a large number of lesser known breeds published in the literature for the use of all concerned in small ruminant rearing. The authors have contributed with their experience and it will be unmatched and useful resource material for students, researchers, academicians, policy makers and planners
Dr. N. Ramachandran, Ph.D. is currently working as Senior Scientist (Livestock Production and Management) at ICAR-Central Institute for Research on Goats, Makhdoom, Mathura. He obtained his M.V. Sc. degree from National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana and Ph.D. degree in Animal Science from Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar University (Formerly Agra University), Agra in the year of 2000 and 2012, respectively. He joined Agriculture Research Service (ARS) of ICAR as a Scientist in 2003, obtained 4 months FOCARS training at National Academy of Agricultural Research and Management (NAARM), Hyderabad, thereafter joined ICAR-Central Institute for Research on Goats, Makhdoom, Mathura. Dr. Ramachandran obtained specialized foreign training on "New Techniques for Sustainable Sheep and Goat Production" at Amman, Jordan in 2014, jointly sponsored by International Centre for Agricultural Research in Dry Areas (ICARDA) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). He has more than thirteen years research experience in the field of Goat Production and Management with specialization in the area of Livestock Shelters, Andrology and Managemental interventions to improve productivity of animals. Dr Ramachandran is the Editor of "CIRG News" from 2011. He has 5 International and 20 National research publications, 35 chapters in different books/compendiums, 2 books/manuals in his credit.
Dr. S.P. Singh, Ph.D. (University of Bonn, Germany), is a Scientist of Animal Physiology, presently working in the Division of Physiology, Reproduction and Shelter Management at Central Institute for Research on Goats, Makhdoom, Farah, Mathura (U.P.). He graduated in Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry in 2004 from Veterinary College, NDUAT, Faizabad and completed his M.V.Sc. in 2006 from IVRI, Izatnagar. He has presently 16 research papers to his credit including 9 in International Journals of high impact factor. He has a good international exposure to participate trainings, seminars, conferences etc. in USA, Denmark, Norway, Switzerland, Italy and Germany.
Dr. S.K. Jindal, Ph.D. Acting Director at ICAR-Central Institute for Research on Goats, Makhdoom, Mathura. Dr. Jindal obtained his Masters and Ph.D. degree from National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal. He was recipient of Senior Research Fellowship of ICAR. Dr. Jindal has more than 38 years of experience as a scientist in the field of livestock production especially goat production. Dr. Jindal earlier worked at Indian Veterinary Research Institute and Central Institute for Research on Buffaloes. Dr. Jindal visited several Universities in USA under Indo-US programme. He has published 5 books and more than 100 publications in National and International Journals of repute.
Dr. A.K. Goel, Ph.D. is a research scientist in the area of Reproductive Biotechnology in Small Ruminants. Dr. Goel is presently serving as Principal Scientist (Animal Reproduction) in ICAR - Central Institute for Research on Goats, Makhdoom, Mathura (UP). Dr. Goel graduated in Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry and completed Master's degree in Veterinary Obstetrics & Gynaecology from College of Veterinary Science & Animal Husbandry, Mathura in the year of 1980 and 1982, respectively. He completed his Ph.D. degree from Dr. B. R. Ambedkar University (Formerly Agra University) Agra in 1998 for his work on ETT in goats. He has been associated in diversified areas of Research, Teaching, Training and Extension Activities in Small Ruminant Reproduction & Production for more than 3 decades. His area of work includes, ETT, Parthenogenesis Embryo Production, In-vitro & In-vivo Embryo Production and Transfer, Application of Imaging Techniques in Reproduction, Reproductive Physiology/ Endocrinology, Semen Cryo-preservation, Female Infertility & Transfer of Viable Technologies. He has published 105 Research Papers, Reviews, Clinical & Technical Articles in Peer Reviewed Journals of National and International repute and presented 144 Research Papers including 20 lead papers in various National & International Scientific gatherings. He has also published 11 Technical Bulletins and 43 Popular Articles. He has Authored /Edited 08 Books and Laboratory Manual. Dr. Goel has contributed 46 Book Chapters in many referred Publications on Goat Production and Reproduction and Climate Change. He has provisionally patented one Technology. He has guided 1 doctorate and 6 master's degrees students. He visited USA to acquire advance trainings in embryo technology and ultrasonography. He is also associated as life member of 16 professional/scientific societies, besides serving as Vice President of ISSGPU and Associate Editor of Indian Journal of Small Ruminants. He is recipient of ISSGPU Fellow Award-2012 (FISSGPU) of The Indian Society for Sheep and Goat Production and Utilization, ISSAR Fellow Award- 2013 (FISSAR) of The Indian Society for the Study of Animal Reproduction and Special Recognition Award 2008-09 of Mobilization- Society for Community Mobilization for Sustainable Development, New Delhi.
Dr. Pramod K. Rout, Ph.D. is presently working as Principal Scientist and Project coordinator, AICRP on goat improvement at ICAR - Central Institute for Research on Goats, Makhdoom, Mathura under Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi. He is a graduate in Veterinary Science from college of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, Bhubaneswar and completed his Master's and Doctoral degrees from Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly. He has worked as post-doctoral fellow at Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Scotland, UK. His field of specialization is Genetics of Disease Resistance and improvement and conservation of Goat genetic resources. Dr. Rout has made outstanding contribution to the areas of Genetics of disease resistance, Genetic diversity of livestock and Conservation of animal genetic resources. He was responsible to establish genetic origin of Indian goats and suggested new insight into the origin of Indian goat breeds and their probable domestication. His work on milk proteome analysis established that Indian goats are carrying better allelic combination for protein yield with respect to European goats. He has also worked in the area of conservation of endangered goats in their natural habitat with active participation of farmers under All India Coordinated Research Project. He has made significant contribution by initiating molecular studies in goat biology. He has been involved in wide range of professional activities such as teaching, guiding doctoral, M.V.Sc. and M.Sc. students and extension works. He has been invited by different national and international organizations to contribute lead papers in different seminars and symposia. He has guided 4 Ph.D. and 14 M.V.Sc. and M.Sc. students. He has published more than 75 research paper and 28 chapters in different books/compendiums.
