Mechanisation of agriculture fails to dampen demand for Killari breed bullocks in Karnataka, Maharashtra

Killari breed bullocks were sold at high prices during the cattle fair as part of Sri Mahanteshwar temple’s annual chariot festival at Doaranahalli village in Shahapur taluk of Yadgir district in Karnataka.

The fair commenced the day after Maha Shivaratri and concluded recently.

Despite a majority of farmers turning to mechanised agriculture equipment, the prominent Killari breed bullocks continue to dominate cattle fairs.

According to sources, a pair of Mysuru Killari bullocks were sold for ₹5.50 lakh while Vijayapur Killari bullocks were sold for ₹3.50 lakh, which is the lowest price for Killari breeds.

“Killari breed bullocks are highly valued as fast and powerful draught animals. They can travel miles without showing any sign of fatigue. Due to the unaffordable price, marginal farmers switched from Killari to the local Jawari breed of bullocks. However, Killari breed bullocks continue to be in high demand in some parts of the Old Mysore region in Karnataka, and in the Pune and Vidharbha regions of Maharashtra,” said Channappa Anedundi, a farmer who had a pair of Killari bullocks.

Apart from Killari breeds, the Jawari and Doeni breed bullocks are normally used for agricultural activities in Bidar, Kalaburagi, and Yadgir districts of Karnataka, and in some parts of Maharashtra.

“Jawari and Deoni breed bullocks are preferred by farmers in Bidar, Kalaburgi, Yadgir and Raichur districts for their ability to perform strenuous tasks for long hours, and also for the affordable prices,” Mr. Anedundi said.

The Department of Animal Husbandry has sent a proposal of ₹3 crore to the government of Karnataka to establish a Killari Breeding Centre to produce Killari breeds in a scientific manner.

“We plan to reproduce Killari breed bullocks and sell them to farmers at subsidised rates,” Raju Deshmukh, Deputy Director of the Animal Husbandry Department, told The Hindu.

Mahanteshwar temple seer Sri Abhinava Mahanteshwar Shivacharya Swami had made all arrangements for farmers who came to buy animals.

“We provided enough fodder and drinking water for animals. We provided food to farmers twice a day till the end of the cattle fair,” he said.

At the cattle fair, farmers also purchased cows, but the numbers were low compared to bullocks, sources said.