Source:-This post has been created based on the article “India imports bull semen from Brazil to raise milk production” published in “Livemint” on 21 January 2024.
Why in the news?
India has imported 40,000 doses of bull semen from Brazil for the first time to boost milk output via artificial insemination.
About Gir cow
| Aspect | Detail |
| About | The Gir or Gyr is an Indian breed of zebuine cattle. It originated in the Kathiawar peninsula in the state of Gujarat, and the name of the breed derives from that of the Gir Hills. Other names include Bhodah, Desan, Gujarati, Kathiawari, Sorthi and Surti. |
| Features | 1. Size- Average weight of Gir Cow is 385 kg with 130 cm in height; Gir bull weighs 545 kg on average, with a height of 140 cm. 2. Harsh Climate adaptability- It is suited to hot and arid climate. 3. Milk Yield- Indian breed of Gir cows can give 6-10 litres. |
| Population Distribution | They have originated in west India in the state of Gujarat. It has since spread to neighbouring Maharashtra and Rajasthan. |
About Kankrej cow
| Aspect | Details |
| About | It originated from Southeast Rann of Kutch of Gujarat and adjoining Rajasthan (Barmer and Jodhpur district). It is also called as Wadad or Waged and Wadhiar. |
| Features | Colour- Coat colour of the animal varies from silver grey to iron grey and steel black. Harsh climate adaptability- It is suited to hot and arid climate. Resistance to disease- It is resistant to tick fever, heat stress, very little incidence of contagious abortion and tuberculosis. |
Why was there a need to import semen from Brazil?
1) Brazil has preserved the original breed of Gir cows (the original breed of Gir cows that was gifted by the Maharaja of Bhavnagar to Brazil in the 18th century). This breed has become a high milk-producing breed due to its ability to survive in extreme weather.
2) India is the world’s largest milk producer, contributing 24% to global output, followed by the US and China. However, the demand is going to rise rapidly in future, thus it needs more milk yielding cows.
3) The government is targeting to produce 330 million tonnes (mt) of milk per annum by FY34. However, average yield of Indian animals is around 8-10 litres as opposed to Brazilian animals whose average is 20–22 litres per animal. Thus India is targeting animals that have Brazilian genetics with a capacity of producing more than 80 litres of milk per animal.
| Read More- Bull Semen Imports Are A Pragmatic Experiment |
The National Dairy Development Board (NDDB)
About: It is a statutory body set up by an Act of the Parliament of India.
Establishment: 1965
Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying
Headquarter: Gujarat
Artificial insemination– Artificial insemination is the technique in which semen with living sperms is collected from the male and introduced into female reproductive tract at proper time with the help of instruments.
Other government schemes
Rashtriya Gokul Mission- The objective of the scheme is to promote indigenous cattle rearing and conservation scientifically. Sahiwal, Bargur, Onglore are some of the well known indigenous cow breed in India.
IndiGau- This is India’s first Cattle Genomic Chip for the conservation of pure varieties of indigenous cattle breeds like, Gir, Kankrej, Sahiwal, Ongole etc.
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