Khariar is a breed that is named after the place of its origin. This breed is local to Khariar, Komna, Sinapalli and Boden areas of the Nuapada district of Orissa. Its breeding tracts comprises the Nuapada, Kalahandi and Bolangir Districts of Orissa. Like the Binjharpuri cattle of Orissa, the Khariar is also known by the synonym of ‘Deshi’. In appearance, they resemble the Motu breed of Orissa.
Khariar is basically a draft breed. The bullocks are used for agricultural operations and for transportation. These are docile, small-sized, strong animals, heat and drought tolerant, and have a very low incidence of diseases. These are bred around their hilly and undulated, native tracts.
Usually, the cattle of entire village are taken together for during cropping season in order to avoid damage to crops. Though the Khariar is basically a draft breed, the cows of this breed produce considerable quantities of milk, which is mostly used for family consumption.
Like the other native Indian cattle breeds, in tune with the National Bovine Breeding Policy, the Orissa State had also started cross-breeding of Khariar with the foreign breeds like Jersey and Holstein, thus pushing the Khariar to the edge of extinction.
However, in the year 2010, with the registration of this breed, efforts were made to conserve the same. The State Government has also covered this native breed under the Odisha Bovine Breeding Policy, 2015.
