Genetic Resources of Katingan Cattle and Effort to Conserve at the Time in Katingan District, Central Kalimantan

Abstract

Katingan cattle in Central Kalimantan is unique and they were kept only by Dayak community. Local people (Dayak) were often mentioned by the name of the local cattle, but some of call it is Itah cattle or Helu cattle (ancient cattle). Portrait information of Katingan Cattle were obtained through interviews with Government officials and Farmers as well as field monitoring. This paper is written to see the current existence of Katingan cattle and Regional Government Policy in their conservation efforts. Katingan cattle several years ago dominated 80-90% ownership by farmers, especially in Pendahara, Buntut Bali and Tumbang Lahang, because they were able to contribute the second largest income 18-28% after rubber commodity. The current population of Katingan cattle is not clearly known because it was not data collection of the population dynamics. The existence of Katingan cattle has been naturally preserved because it is related to ritual activities. In-situ conservation efforts have not been carried out by the Regional Government although there are ideal locations for conservation areas such as in Buntut Bali Village, there are remote locations like island that are protected by rivers and suitable for conservation activities. It takes a strong commitment of local Government to realize in-situ conservation. Currently, the local government in term of the Agriculture Services of Lamandau District is conducted ex-situ conservation by raising 1 bull and 6 cows of Katingan. The cattle is develop to be 14 tails and 1 cow was dead. The preservation of Katingan cattle both in-situ and ex-situ requires serious government support (technical, institutional, access to capital) to increase the population and income of farmers. The first step that needs to be taken is the registration of Katingan cattle as a new breed, so that, in the later based on a formal juridical, local governement has an obligation to maintain its sustainability and develop it. It is important to collect data on the dynamics of the Katingan cattle population immediately to determine the status of Katingan