The Punganur cattle, recognised as the world’s smallest breed of cow and revered by Indian leaders such as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, are being bred at the Yug Nirman Gayatri Parivar Trust in Amreli, Gujarat.
Facing the threat of extinction, the Trust has taken measures to preserve and nurture this rare breed. The cows, originally from Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh, have been transported to Amreli, where they will be bred alongside the indigenous Gir cows.
The Punganur breed, which stands at an average height of 70 to 90 centimetres, is critically rare, with numbers steadily declining. First developed in the Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh, the breed gained national attention earlier this year when Prime Minister Modi was photographed feeding the cows at his residence during the Pongal festival in January.
“These cows, standing at just two feet in height, are truly remarkable,” said Ratidada, Managing Trustee of the Gayatri Sanskar Dham in Chalala. “They are believed to have been kept by Lord Krishna and are revered by leaders like PM Modi and CM Yogi Adityanath. We hope to inspire others to keep and worship these cows, ensuring the breed’s survival.”
Valued for their unique characteristics, Punganur cattle weigh between 115 and 200 kilograms, produce an average of three litres of milk daily and consume around five kilograms of fodder. Their rarity makes them highly prized, with individual cows fetching up to Rs 4 lakh in the Indian market.
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