Gir Cow A2 Milk Dairy Gir Somnath Gujarat

The Gir cow (Bos indicus) is a native Saurashtra breed known for producing A2 beta-casein milk considered by Ayurvedic tradition and modern nutritional research to have superior digestibility and health properties compared to the A1 milk of European breeds. Gir cows are the foundation of India's indigenous dairy movement, with Gir cow ghee, milk, and paneer commanding premium prices in natural food markets. The breed originates from the Gir forest region of Junagadh and Gir Somnath districts of Gujarat, where forest-grazing herds are managed by Maldhari and Rabari pastoral communities with centuries of selective breeding knowledge. Gir cow milk fat percentage averages 4.5-5.5% compared to 3.5% for Holstein Friesian. The breed is now exported to Brazil, where it has revolutionised tropical dairy genetics. Gujarat government and GCMMF (Amul) maintain Gir cow breeding programs. Small-holder Gir cow dairies sell A2 ghee at ₹1,200-2,500 per litre premium through natural food e-commerce and urban organic stores, several times the price of conventional ghee.