Dr. Meenesh Shah, Chairman of NDDB and NDDB Dairy Services, along with Shri AV Dharma Reddy, Executive Officer of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), Shri S Regupathi, Executive Director of NDDB, Dr. CP Devanand, MD of NDDB Dairy Services, and Shri Thimappa Sura, MD of Shreeja Mahila Milk Producer Company Limited, held a meeting in Tirupati.
The meeting’s primary focus was the protection and promotion of indigenous cattle breeds. Discussions covered enhancing testing infrastructure, genetic purity testing, disease diagnosis, and the use of advanced reproductive technologies such as artificial insemination and embryo transfer to accelerate genetic improvement in indigenous breeds.
A significant highlight of the meeting was the proposal to establish a Centre of Excellence (CoE) for genetic improvement under the Union Government’s Rashtriya Gokul Mission. TTD representatives outlined the scope of the CoE and expressed their gratitude for the collaboration with NDDB. They stressed the importance of continuous monitoring and requested NDDB’s assistance in setting up testing infrastructure and conducting genetic purity tests for indigenous breeds like Gir and Sahiwal.
Dr. Shah advised TTD officials to screen bovines for prevalent animal diseases and assured them of NDDB’s complete support in establishing the CoE.
Rashtriya Gokul Mission
The Rashtriya Gokul Mission is an initiative by the Indian government aimed at conserving and developing indigenous bovine breeds. The mission focuses on enhancing the genetic makeup of local cattle breeds to improve their milk production and overall health.
Centre of Excellence for Genetic Improvement
A Centre of Excellence (CoE) for genetic improvement is a specialized institution designed to lead in the research and implementation of advanced genetic technologies and methodologies. In this context, the CoE aims to improve the genetic quality of indigenous cattle breeds through:
- Genetic Purity Testing: Ensuring the genetic purity of cattle breeds to maintain their unique traits and qualities.
- Disease Diagnosis: Identifying and managing diseases prevalent among cattle to ensure healthy herds.
- Advanced Reproductive Technologies: Using methods such as artificial insemination and embryo transfer to enhance genetic traits quickly and efficiently.
Indigenous Cattle Breeds
Indigenous cattle breeds, such as Gir and Sahiwal, are native to India and are known for their resilience and adaptability to local conditions. These breeds are crucial for sustainable agriculture and dairy farming in the region.
By establishing the CoE under the Rashtriya Gokul Mission, the NDDB aims to protect and improve these breeds, ensuring they continue to thrive and contribute to the agricultural economy.
