Periyar Kullan: Kerala's Newly Recognized Indigenous Cattle Breed

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Key takeaways

The ICAR-National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR) officially recognized the Periyar Kullan as Kerala's second registered indigenous cattle breed after the Vechur cow.
Native to the Western Ghats, this dwarf cattle breed weighs 150 to 200 kg and is reared in silvopastoral systems across Ernakulam and Thrissur districts.
The breed yields 2.5 to 4 litres of A2 milk daily with 4.5% fat content, serving as a sustainable dairy model for around 1,000 surviving heads.

The ICAR-National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR) has officially registered the Periyar cow, commonly known as Periyar Kullan, as a distinct indigenous cattle breed.
It becomes only the second native cattle breed from Kerala to earn national recognition after the well-known Vechur cow.

The Periyar Kullan, locally known as Kuttampuzha cattle or Andukanni, is a dwarf cattle breed found along the forest borders and plantation tracts of the Western Ghats in central Kerala.

These cattle mainly live near river belts and plantations in Kerala's Ernakulam and Thrissur districts, especially in Koovappady, Angamaly, Kothamangalam, and Chalakudy.
Farmers rear them in semi-feral and silvopastoral conditions, where the animals graze freely on natural grasses, shrubs, and trees in rubber and spice plantations with minimal human intervention.

They have a small dwarf body weighing between 150 and 200 kg with a dark brown coat, making them slightly heavier than the ultra-dwarf Vechur cow which weighs around 130 kg.
Some individual animals display a unique physical trait where their horns hang down near the ears rather than curving upward.
These cattle are self-reliant and range freely during the day in plantation areas, returning on their own to specific shelters by evening.
Each cow produces 2.5 to 4 litres of milk daily that is rich in A2 beta-casein, containing about 4.5% fat and 9.1% Solids-Not-Fat (SNF).
Female cattle reach breeding maturity at about 26 months, give birth to their first calf at 35 months, and have an average pregnancy period of 279 days.

The official registration by NBAGR provides scientific recognition to protect this rare breed, supporting targeted breeding programs for the estimated 1,000 surviving heads.
Thanks to their strong disease resistance, low maintenance costs, and valuable A2 milk, these cows offer a practical and profitable dairy model for small farmers.