Lok Sabha Question No. 2893 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-18
Subject: Bovine Breed
Ministry: FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
Asked by: Shri Narayan Tatu Rane

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING

LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2893 TO BE ANSWERED ON 18 th  March 2025

## BOVINE BREED

2893. SHRI NARAYAN TATU RANE:

Will the Minister of FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING मत्स्यपालन , पशुपालन और डेयरी मंत्री

be pleased to state:

- (a) the efforts made by the Government to increase milk production in the country;
- (b) whether assistance of artificial insemination and other techniques has been taken to increase the milk production of Indian breed of 'Girgay' by Brazil Government, if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) whether as the line of this model the said technique has been replicated to the Bovine breed and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

THE HON'BLE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING (PROF. S. P. SINGH BAGHEL)

- (a) & (c) To complement and supplement the efforts of States and Union Territories in increasing milk production, the Government of India is implementing the Rashtriya Gokul Mission. This initiative focuses on  the  development  and  conservation  of  indigenous  bovine  breeds,  genetic  upgradation  of  the  bovine population, and enhancing milk production and productivity.

Under the Rashtriya Gokul Mission, the Government of India is implementing the following techniques for the genetic upgradation of indigenous bovine breeds to enhance milk production:

- (i) Nationwide Artificial Insemination Programme : The programme aims to enhance AI coverage and deliver quality Artificial Insemination (AI) services at farmers' doorsteps using semen from high-genetic-merit bulls, including indigenous bovine breeds.

Accelerated Breed Improvement Programme using Sex-Sorted Semen: This program aims  to  produce  female  calves  with  up  to  90%  accuracy,  thereby  enhancing  breed improvement and increasing farmers' income. The use of sex-sorted semen of indigenous breeds is being actively promoted under this programme.

## Launch of Indigenously Developed Sex-Sorted Semen Production Technology:

For the first time in India, facilities established under the Rashtriya Gokul Mission have successfully produced sex-sorted semen of indigenous cattle breeds. These facilities have been set up at five government semen stations in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu,

Uttarakhand,  and  Uttar  Pradesh.  Additionally,  three  private  semen  stations  are  also contributing to the production of sex-sorted semen doses.  The launch of indigenously developed sex-sorted semen production technology has significantly reduced the cost of sex-sorted semen from ₹800 to ₹250 per dose. This breakthrough makes sex-sorted semen more affordable for farmers and boosts the indigenous female cattle population. So far, 1.17 crore sex-sorted semen doses have been produced using high-genetic-merit bulls, including those of indigenous breeds.

Accelerated Breed Improvement Programme using IVF Technology: For the first time in India, bovine IVF technology has been promoted for the development and conservation of indigenous breeds. The Department has established 22 IVF laboratories to support the promotion of indigenous breeds across the country. An incentive of ₹5,000 per assured pregnancy is provided to farmers under this program to encourage the development of indigenous breeds.

Launch of Indigenous Culture Media: An indigenous media for in-vitro fertilization (IVF)  has  been  launched  to  further  promote  IVF  technology  in  the  country.  This indigenous  culture  media  provides  a  cost-effective  alternative  to  expensive  imported media, making IVF technology more accessible.

Multi-purpose  Artificial  Insemination  Technicians  in  Rural  India  (MAITRI): MAITRIs are trained and equipped to deliver quality artificial insemination services at farmers' doorsteps. Additionally, assistance is provided to States and Union Territories for refresher training of artificial insemination technicians and professionals.

- (ii) Strengthening of semen stations : Under the Rashtriya Gokul Mission, the strengthening of semen stations has raised the number of high-genetic-merit bulls to 1,845 (2023-24), producing 29 million doses of indigenous breed semen. Artificial insemination with indigenous breed semen is encouraged across the country.
- (iii) Progeny testing and Pedigree selection programme : This programme aims to produce high genetic merit bulls, including bulls of indigenous breeds. Progeny testing is implemented for Gir,  Sahiwal  breeds  of  cattle,  and  Murrah,  Mehsana  breeds  of  buffaloes.  Under  the  Pedigree selection programme Rathi, Tharparkar, Hariana, Kankrej breeds of cattle and Jaffarabadi, Nili Ravi, Pandharpuri and Banni breeds of buffalo are covered.  Disease free high genetic merit bulls of indigenous breeds produced under the programme is made available to semen stations across the country.
- (iv) Launch of Indigenously Developed Genomic Chip: For the first time, a genomic chip has been developed and launched under the Rashtriya Gokul Mission for indigenous breeds. This common  genomic  chip  is  significantly  contributing  to  the  development  and  conservation  of indigenous bovine breeds.
- (b) The traditional and advanced breeding technologies including Artificial Insemination, IVF technology, sex sorted semen, genomic selection etc are used in Brazil to enhance milk production of breeds of Indian origin including Gir breed of cattle.

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