Lok Sabha Question No. 1331 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-03
Subject: Research Projects by NDRI, Kalyani
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Jagannath Sarkar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH & EDUCATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1331

TO BE ANSWERED ON 3 RD  DECEMBER, 2024

## RESEARCH PROJECTS BY NDRI, KALYANI

## 1331.  SHRI JAGANNATH SARKAR:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE d`f"k vkSj fdlku dY;k.k ea=h be pleased to state:

(a) the current research projects being undertaken at the Eastern Regional Station of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI) in Kalyani, West Bengal;

(b) the  specific  contributions  of  the  NDRI  Kalyani  in  improving  dairy  farming techniques and productivity in the Eastern region of the country;

(c) whether  the  Government  has  any  plans  to  expand  the  research  facilities  or introduce new programs at the Eastern Regional Station of NDRI, Kalyani; and

(d) the  extent  of  collaboration  between  the  Eastern  Regional  Station  of  NDRI, Kalyani, and local dairy farmers in West Bengal to disseminate research findings and improve dairy practices?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE d`f"k vkSj fdlku dY;k.k jkT; ea=h (SHRI BHAGIRATH CHOUDHARY)

(a): List  of  current  projects  undertaken  by  Eastern  Regional  Station  of  the  Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI) is attached as Annexure-I

(b): The Eastern Regional Station (ERS) of ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI), Kalyani, has played a pivotal role in improving dairy farming techniques and productivity in the Eastern region of India. Its significant contributions are attached as Annexure-II

(c): The Government has not sanctioned any new scheme specifically for expansion of infrastructure or introduction of new programme at Eastern Regional Station (ERS) in Kalyani. The station is working as per the mandate of ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI) for addressing region specific problems.

(d): The Eastern Regional Station (ERS) of ICAR-NDRI, Kalyani, has established strong collaboration with local dairy farmers in West Bengal, particularly in the Nadia district, to disseminate research findings and improve dairy practices. Through a

network  of  agro  advisories  and  expert  guidance  provided  in  partnership  with  Krishi Vigyan  Kendra  (KVK)  experts,  over  one  lakh  farmers  in  the  district  have  received information on agriculture and animal husbandry. This collaboration has significantly enhanced the productivity and efficiency of dairy husbandry in the region.

In the past three years, the ERS has directly benefitted more than 8,000 farmers from  eastern  and  north-eastern  states  of  the  country  through  various  interventions under direct benefit transfer programmes. These initiatives have played a crucial role in equipping  farmers  with  the  knowledge,  resources,  and  techniques  needed  to  adopt modern  and  sustainable  dairy  practices.  This  active  engagement  demonstrates  the ERS's  commitment  to  improving  the  livelihoods  of  dairy  farmers  by  ensuring  the practical application of its research outputs.

## [Part (a) of Lok Sabha USQ No. 1331 dated 3 RD  DECEMBER, 2024]

1. Livelihood improvement of rural farmers through augmentation of fertility in dairy cows with assured female calf approach in Haringhata and Chakdaha blocks of Nadia district, West Bengal
2. Characterization of Native Livestock and Poultry Population of West Bengal State. Funded by ICAR under 'Network project on characterization and documentation of ANGR' of NBAGR, Karnal.
3. Upskilling  and  reskilling Pashu  Sakhis on  improved  animal  husbandry  and agricultural practices for effective dissemination of technologies
4. Upliftment  of  socio-economic  condition  of  tribal  people  through  integrated livestock farming in North Eastern Hill Region/Eastern part of India (TSP)
5. Improving the livelihood through dairy farming in North Eastern region of India (NEH)
6. Establishment of field-based conservation unit of Lakhimi Cattle of Assam
7. Facial image-based biometric recognition for unique animal identification using machine learning (Artificial Intelligence)
8. Elucidating  the  role  of  placental  characteristics  on  birth  related  traits  and reproductive efficiency in Black Bengal goats and strategies for their improvement
9. Enhancing the fertilizability of Bengal buck semen through optimization of sperm dose and amelioration of oxidative stress with membrane targeting antioxidants
10. Formulation of a novel feed supplement to promote early rumen development for improving animal productivity.
11. Validation of Nutrient Enriched Rice Straw (NERS) technology in an organized dairy farm
12. Evaluating  genetic  variations  of  feeding  behaviors  and  their  associations  with production and reproduction performance of Jersey crossbred cattle
13. Therapeutic management of calf diarrhoea with probiotics and herbal antidiarrheal compounds
14. A Rapid Test Kit for Detecting Bovine Ketosis at Point of Care
15. Assessment of the Socio-spatial Dynamics for Bio-Fertilizer Adoption within Dairy based Farming Systems

## [Part (b) of Lok Sabha USQ No. 1331 dated 3 RD  DECEMBER, 2024]

- A  notable  achievement  of  the  station  is  the  development  of  a  location-specific mineral mixture tailored to the unique nutritional requirements of dairy animals in the region. This initiative has significantly improved animal health and productivity. The ERS has also focused on utilizing locally available non-conventional feed resources and  upgrading  low-grade  feeds,  ensuring  enhanced  dietary  intake  and  better performance of livestock.
- In  infrastructure  development,  the  station  has  designed  efficient  animal  housing systems, which contributed to the improved health and productivity of the animals. Additionally, it has made remarkable strides in goat farming through the production of  buck  semen  for  artificial  insemination  in  Black  Bengal  goats,  enhancing  the genetic quality and reproductive efficiency of this breed. The development of a milk replacer for Black Bengal kids has further boosted their survivability and growth, leading to healthier and more robust offspring.
- To ensure that these advancements reach the farming community, ERS employs a robust dissemination strategy. The station organizes regular training programmes, workshops, and field demonstrations, along with farmer-scientist interactions, farmer fairs, and off-farm visits. These initiatives are complemented by the use of print and digital media, such as brochures, manuals, mobile apps, and social media platforms, to provide continuous updates and guidance. This multi-channel approach ensures that the benefits of ERS's research and technologies are effectively transferred to the end-users, contributing to the overall productivity and sustainability of the animal husbandry sector in the region.
- Further the KVK, Nadia (Additional) under the administrative control of the NDRIERS is mandated to disseminate the developed technology among the farmers and other stakeholders in the region.

*****