Desi Cow Meets Brazilian Bull
India Today|July 15, 2024
It is ghar wapsi in a frozen form. The Indian government's move to import 40,000 doses of purebred Gir bull semen from Brazil to artificially inseminate Gir cows in Gujarat is being seen as a game-changer.
Jumana Shah
Desi Cow Meets Brazilian Bull

The South American country had imported the Gir cow, famed for its high yield of milk, from as early as 1870. Now, the genetic return gift will also be offered to states where Gir cows are found, including Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal. It is hoped that the Brazilian Gir bull semen will lead to a progeny of Gir cows with milk productivity 5-8 times higher than usual. Gir cow populations have dwindled in recent decades in India, so this is also being seen as a way to bolster the population in its native land. Part of the Genetic Improvement Programme under the Union government's Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD), the Rs 6 crore initiative is being executed by the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB).

"These semen straws are from four bulls in Brazil that are 'top performing. Highly rated Gir cows here will be inseminated with them and their progeny should be super performers," says an official from Gujarat's animal husbandry department. According to experts, the venture, if successful, could increase the average milk production of Gir cows to 20-30 litres per day over the next decade or so. Top performers' could even scale 60-70 litres a day, it is hoped. The semen straws have been bought from a private dairy farmer and certified by the government of Brazil. Though it has taken two years for the project to fructify, the DAHD will soon issue another global tender for the import of 250,000 semen straws of Gir bulls, of which 200,000 will be conventional semen and 50,000 sex-sorted semen [where the gender of the offspring is pre-selected].

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der July 15, 2024-Ausgabe von India Today.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der July 15, 2024-Ausgabe von India Today.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

WEITERE ARTIKEL AUS INDIA TODAYAlle anzeigen
A Cut Above the Rest
India Today

A Cut Above the Rest

Oft ignored, the ceiling in a room is so much more than a necessity

time-read
1 min  |
December 02, 2024
THE GRAND STAND
India Today

THE GRAND STAND

This atypical bachelor pad for Delhivery's Sandeep Barasia is all about balancing art with form, aesthetics with functionality and materiality with context

time-read
3 Minuten  |
December 02, 2024
50 SHADES OF WHITE
India Today

50 SHADES OF WHITE

From ivory to ecru, TV actor Ankita Lokhande and reality TV star Vicky Jain's apartment in Mumbai is all about a fresh and clean feel

time-read
1 min  |
December 02, 2024
"GOOD DESIGN IS EFFICIENT, BEAUTIFUL AND PROBLEM SOLVING"
India Today

"GOOD DESIGN IS EFFICIENT, BEAUTIFUL AND PROBLEM SOLVING"

Known for creating thoughtfully crafted spaces, architect Jaskaran Singh takes us through the legacy he was born into

time-read
3 Minuten  |
December 02, 2024
HITCHED AT HOME
India Today

HITCHED AT HOME

From offbeat décor to eco-friendly design elements, an intimate wedding runs high on undeniable charm and unique sentiments

time-read
3 Minuten  |
December 02, 2024
ROOM TO BLOOM
India Today

ROOM TO BLOOM

Bring wedding festivities indoors with flowers and hues that set the mood for this beautiful tablescape

time-read
1 min  |
December 02, 2024
THE RITE CHOICE
India Today

THE RITE CHOICE

Move over heaven, well-designed and stylish marriages require the Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla touch. They share how to ace this space.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
December 02, 2024
Twist on Tradition
India Today

Twist on Tradition

Stylish storytelling, vibrant vistas, trendy textiles and modern magic, wedding decor is a beautifully crafted and personal tale today

time-read
2 Minuten  |
December 02, 2024
TROUSSEAU TROVE
India Today

TROUSSEAU TROVE

From preserved flowers to bountiful hampers, what you give the bride and groom will set the tone for their life ahead

time-read
1 min  |
December 02, 2024
iSpy
India Today

iSpy

Your guide to the hottest new stores and products

time-read
2 Minuten  |
December 02, 2024