(a) the details of names and population of indigenous variety of cows in the country;
(b) the steps taken by the Government to protect these Desi breeds (Indian); and
(c) whether there is any institute or research centre to develop our Desi breed cows, if so, the details thereof along with name and location?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
(SHRI PARSHOTTAM RUPALA)
(a) The details of names and population of indigenous breeds of cows in the country is given at Annexure I.
(b) Government of India has been implementing Rashtriya Gokul Mission since 2014. All the States and UTs are participating under RGM. Major steps under taken under Rashtriya Gokul Mission for development and conservation of indigenous breeds are as under:
(i) Implementation of Nationwide Artificial Insemination Programme using semen of high merit bulls including semen of high genetic merit bulls of indigenous breeds. Under the component till date 2.37 crore animals have been covered, 2.87 crore artificial inseminations have been performed and 1.5 crore farmers benefited.
(ii) Implementation of progeny testing and pedigree selection for production of high genetic merit bulls including bulls of indigenous breeds like Gir, Sahiwal, Tharparkar, Kankrej, Hariana, Rathi breeds of cattle and Murrah, Mehsana, Jaffarabadi, Pandharpuri, Nili Ravi breeds of buffalo.
(iii) Implementation of IVF for faster genetic upgradation of bovine population including indigenous breeds of cattle and buffaloes. Under the component projects have been released for establishment of 30 IVF laboratories.
(iv) For implementation of genomic selection DNA chip has been developed for identification of high genetic merit bulls of indigenous bovine breeds at young age against 6- 7 years taken in traditional method to prove genetic merit of the bulls.
(v) Sex sorted semen production for indigenous breeds of cattle along with other bovine breeds has been initiated in the country. Sex sorted semen is important for production of female calves with 90% accuracy.
(vi) Funds have been released to the States for establishment of 16 Gokul Grams for development and conservation of indigenous breeds of cattle and buffaloes in scientific and holistic manner. Two National Kamdhenu Breeding Centres have been established as repository of germplasm of indigenous breeds.
(c) Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has established Central Institute for Research on Cattle which is located at Meerut in Uttar Pradesh. The institute is undertaking genetic improvement programme for indigenous breeds of cattle.
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