Baripada, July 11: In a significant boost to Odisha's indigenous livestock resources, the native 'Kudu' duck breed of Mayurbhanj has received national recognition after being awarded the Animal Breed Registration Certificate (ABRC) by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). The recognition marks the first time a duck breed from Odisha has been registered at the national level.

The Kudu duck, found predominantly in the tribal pockets of Mayurbhanj, is known for its unique physical characteristics and high productivity. Unlike conventional duck breeds, it is naturally resistant to diseases such as bird flu and Ranikhet disease. It lays around 150 eggs annually, nearly double the egg production of ordinary domestic ducks, which typically lay about 80 eggs a year.

The indigenous breed has a distinctive appearance, featuring a brown and cream-coloured upper body with white and black markings on the lower half. It also has a white ring around its neck, a yellow beak and orange legs. An adult Kudu duck grows up to around 1.5 kg and is valued for both its meat and egg production.

The recognition follows over two years of research conducted by scientists from the ICAR-Directorate of Poultry Research, Bhubaneswar Centre. A team of researchers carried out extensive field studies in Mayurbhanj and found that nearly 64,000 Kudu ducks are reared in the district and adjoining tribal areas.

According to the study, Kudu ducks forage naturally in forests and marshy lands, feeding on insects and other natural food sources, which is believed to contribute to their strong immunity. Their eggs weigh around 64 grams, while adult males weigh about 1.3 kg and females around 1.2 kg. The breed is an important source of nutrition and livelihood for tribal communities, who consume as well as sell the ducks.

Based on the research findings, the Odisha Animal Resources Development Department and the ICAR-Directorate of Poultry Research, Bhubaneswar Centre, submitted a proposal to the ICAR Breed Registration Committee in November last year seeking national registration for the breed.

Confirming the development, Dr. Subrata Kumar Bhanja, Head of the ICAR-Directorate of Poultry Research, Bhubaneswar Centre, said the committee has approved the registration and issued the Animal Breed Registration Certificate. He said the recognition would help popularise the Kudu duck across the country and encourage its commercial farming beyond Mayurbhanj.

Meanwhile, researchers have also initiated plans to study the indigenous Kuji duck, a smaller native breed found in the coastal districts of Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara and Cuttack, with the aim of securing similar national recognition in the future.