Lok Sabha Question No. 3489 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-08
Subject: Research for Increase in Milk Production
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: KUNWAR SARVESH  KUMAR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL HUSBANDRY, DAIRYING AND FISHERIES

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 3489 TO BE ANSWERED ON 8 TH  AUGUST, 2017

## RESEARCH FOR INCREASE IN MILK PRODUCTION

## 3489.   KUNWAR SARVESH KUMAR:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ षि और ककसान कल्याण मंत्री be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the milk productivity of Indian cows has reduced due to climate change;
- (b) if so, the steps proposed to be taken by the Government to improve the milk production of Indian cows;
- (c)  whether  the  National  Dairy  Research  and  Development  Board  has  sought  further  assistance  to conduct research and development in this regard; and
- (d) if so, the steps proposed to be taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

(SHRI SUDARSHAN BHAGAT)

- (a): As informed by Indian Council of Agricultural Research no study on effect of climate change on  milk  production  in  Indian  cows  has  been  conducted  by  ICAR.  However,  under  Chapter  24  of ICAR published book entitled 'Global Climate Change and Indian Agriculture - case studies from the ICAR Network Project' the following has been mentioned:

'Increased heat stress  associated  with  global  climate  change  may,  however,  cause  distress  to dairy  animals and possibly impact milk production. Temperature-Humidity Index was used to relate animal stress with productivity of milk of buffaloes, crossbred and local cows. These studies indicated that India loses 1.8 million tonnes of milk production at present due to climatic stresses in different parts  of  the  country.  Global  warming  will  further  negatively  impact  milk  production  by  1.6  million tonnes  by  2020  and  more  than  15  million  tonnes  by  2050.  High  producing  crossbred  cows  and buffaloes will be impacted more than indigenous cattle. Northern India is likely to experience greater impact of global warming on milk production of both cattle and buffaloes in future'.

- (b): Steps undertaken by the Government to improve milk production of indigenous cows are as under:
- i) Rashtriya  Gokul  Mission  has  been  launched  December  2014  for  the  development  and conservation of indigenous bovine breeds thereby enhancing milk production and productivity. The framework of the  scheme  is  to  enhance  milk  production  &  productivity  through  induction  of  high genetic merit bulls for semen production; field performance recording; strengthening of bulls mother farms; setting up of Gokul Grams etc.

O.I.H.

- ii) National Programme for Bovine Breeding is being implemented for enhancing productivity of milch  animals  through  extension  of  Artificial  Insemination  (AI)  coverage.  This  is  done  through establishment of Multi Purpose AI Technicians in Rural India (MAITRIs); strengthening of existing AI centres; monitoring of AI etc.
- iii) National Mission on Bovine Productivity has been launched in November 2016 with the aim of enhancing milk production and productivity and thereby making dairying more remunerative to the farmers.  The  scheme  is  being  implemented  with  following  components  a)  Pashu  Sanjivni-  this component includes identification of animals in milk using UID, issuing health cards to all animals in milk  and  uploading  data  on  INAPH  data  base.;  b)  Advance  reproductive  Technique-  under  the component sex sorted semen production  facility is being created at 10 A graded semen stations and 50 Embryo Transfer Technology Labs with IVF facilities are being created in the country; c) Creation of E  Pashu  Haat  Portal-  The  e-pashu  haat  portal  has  been  launched  in  November  2016  for  linking farmers and breeders of indigenous breeds and d) Establishment of National Bovine Genomic Centre for Indigenous Breeds(NBGC-IB): The NBGC-IB is being established for enhancing milk production and productivity through genomic selection among indigenous breeds.
- iv) Two National Kamdhenu Breeding Centres are being established one in the State of Andhra Pradesh for southern region and other in Madhya Pradesh for northern region of the country with the aim  of  development  and  conservation  of  indigenous  breeds  in  a  scientific  manner  and  thereby enhancing milk production and productivity.
- v) National Dairy Plan-I a world Bank assisted project being implemented in 18 major dairy States with  aim  of  enhancing  milk  production  and  productivity  in  order  to  meet  demand  of  milk  in  the country  through  strengthening  of  semen  stations;  bull  production  programme  (progeny  testing  and pedigree selection), ration balancing programme etc.
- vi) Government  has  also  established  three  subordinate  organizations  namely  (i)  Central  Cattle Breeding  Farms  (CCBFs)  (ii)  Central  Herd  registration  Scheme  and  (iii)  Central  Frozen  Semen Production & Training Institute. These organizations are also undertaking genetic upgradation of milch animals  through  supply  of  disease  free  high  genetic  merit  bulls  for  semen  production  and  natural service for use in the breeding programme being implemented by the States.
- (c) & (d): As informed by ICAR National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal under the National Initiative on  Climate  Resilient  Agriculture  (NICRA-Phase-II)  is  undertaking  a  study  with  the  objective  to evaluate the impact of heat stress on milk production, quality parameters and the economics involved in  indigenous  and  crossbred  cattle.    National  Dairy  Development  Board  is  implementing  National Dairy Plan-I for enhancing milk production and productivity of bovines including indigenous cattle breeds.

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