Assisted Reproductive Technologies in Cattle and Buffalo Breeding

14 September 20261 min read

Why in the news

Dairy breeding in India is leaning on assisted reproductive technologies to speed up genetic gains beyond what natural breeding offers.

Aim: higher milk yield and protection of indigenous genetics.
Indigenous breeds: over 50 recognised; adapted to local climate, disease resistant, suited to low-input farming; many give A2 beta-casein milk.
Dairy breeds: Gir, Sahiwal, Tharparkar, Rathi, Red Sindhi, Kankrej, Hariana, Deoni, Ongole.

Technique	What it does
AI	Introduces semen of a chosen bull without natural mating
Oestrus synchronisation	Hormones bring females into heat together
MOET	Several embryos from one superior female
IVF	Fertilisation in a lab
OPU	Oocytes taken from live donors, no surgery
Sexed semen	Shapes calf sex ratio
Cloning (SCNT)	Animal genetically near-identical to another

2009: world’s first buffalo calf cloned via Hand-guided Cloning, ICAR-NDRI, Karnal.
2025: Gir calf GANGA, India’s first cloned cattle, made with OPU and SCNT at ICAR-NDRI.
Cloned Badri embryos exist; cloning of elite Badri cows is being explored.

Rashtriya Gokul Mission: includes Nationwide AI Programme, sex-sorted semen, IVF. ₹2,400 crore for 2021-22 to 2025-26, plus ₹1,000 crore in March 2025.
NPBBDD: February 2014, merged earlier schemes.
National Livestock Mission: since 2014-15, revised 2021-22; entrepreneurship, breed improvement, feed and fodder security.

Test yourself

1. What is the name of India's first cloned cattle, a Gir female calf produced in 2025?

The Gir calf produced at ICAR-NDRI was named GANGA.

2. Badri cattle, recognised as a state animal, are indigenous to which state?

Badri cattle are indigenous to Uttarakhand.

3. What is the total Rashtriya Gokul Mission outlay for the 15th Finance Commission cycle after the March 2025 increase?

₹2,400 crore plus ₹1,000 crore gives ₹3,400 crore.