Valuing India's Sahiwal Cattle Breed: Beyond Milk Production

The episode reviews the provided article from the Indian Journal of Animal Sciences in May 2022, titled "Beyond economic motives: Value of indigenous dairy cattle breed for the livestock keepers in India," investigates the multifaceted value of India's indigenous Sahiwal cattle breed. It highlights that beyond milk production, these cattle hold significant cultural, ecological, and intrinsic value for local communities. The study uses a choice experiment with dairy farmers to assess the economic importance of these non-market benefits, revealing that cultural value, indirect use, and existence value are highly significant, often exceeding the perceived value of direct consumption. The findings suggest that conservation efforts should consider these diverse values and explore strategies like niche markets and cultural promotion to support the Sahiwal breed's preservation.