How India's 'Krishna' Bull Revolutionised Brazil's Dairy Industry
NDTV
In 1960, Brazilian cattle baron Celso Garcia Sid imported a bull named Krishna from India, a gift from the Maharaja of Bhavnagar.
In 1958, Brazilian cattle baron Celso Garcia Sid sent cowboy Ildefonso dos Santos to India to find a bull that could enhance Brazilian livestock, according to the BBC. Cid was browsing through photographs when he fell in love with a calf named Krishna: his coats were reddish white and his horns hung downward. Cid immediately ordered the purchase of this wonder bull. That was in 1960 when the wonder bull from India arrived in Brazil.
During that time the cowboy had described him as "colossus". "Nothing that is said about this animal can reveal anything-it is a colossus," he had said.
According to BBC, Krishna, gifted by the Maharaja of Bhavnagar, proved to be a genetic revolution in Brazil cattle market, with an elevated value to the Gir breed that is now counted as one of the most valuable breeds in the bovine embryo market. His lineage forms 80% of Brazil's milk production. The government of India has even approached Brazil seeking help to import the breed back into India, from where the breed nearly vanished due to failed crossbreeding attempts.
