Nellai researcher gets patent for Chevvadu

Ravimurugan, Researcher attached to Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding, Veterinary College and Research Centre, Tirunelveli, was recently handed over the patent rights at the ceremony for award of Animal Breed Registration certificates held at New Delhi. Henceforth, anyone who wants to study the breed has to get Ravimurugan’s permission.  Ravimurugan said he started studying Chevvadu variety in 2009 and monitored them for close to six years. In 2015, he submitted an application for patent rights for having identified Chevvadu and a national-level panel awarded the rights for 25 years after conducting an inspection in the locality. Speaking to DTNext , Ravimurugan, said that there were only eight registered sheep breeds in Tamil Nadu and Chevvadu was the ninth variety identified. Chevvadu is a local breed and is found in two different shades and body shapes. Based on the differences, the sheep variety has two sub-categories, Arichevvadu and Karunchev vadu, he said. These are economically and culturally important sheep varieties. They are rich in meat and are sacrificed in Maman Kida and Kida Vettu festivals, held in southern districts, said Ravimurugan.