Himachal Farmers Reap Benefits from Advanced Cattle Breeding Techniques
In a significant step towards improving livestock and boosting dairy production, the Animal Husbandry Department of Himachal Pradesh has been successfully implementing the Accelerated Breed Improvement Program. This initiative, using cutting-edge sex-sorted semen technology, is showing promising results, helping farmers in this agriculturally driven state increase their income by boosting the number of female calves, which are more valuable for milk production.
Himachal Pradesh, where farming is a primary occupation, faces a unique challenge. While bulls and male calves have become less useful in modern agriculture, their increasing numbers have led to a rise in stray animals, causing problems on roads and in communities. By focusing on increasing the birth of female calves, the department aims to reduce these issues, ensuring that farmers can rely more on productive dairy cows.
A New Era for Dairy Farming and Breed Improvement
Dr. Ashish Kumar Sharma, who oversees the Baldwara Animal Hospital in the Sarkaghat sub-division, explained the process in detail. The sex-sorted semen technology works by separating the Y chromosome from the semen, resulting in a 90-95% chance of a female calf being born. This advancement could revolutionize dairy farming in the state by improving the breed quality and increasing milk production. With more high-quality female calves, farmers are likely to take a greater interest in dairy farming, reducing the number of stray cattle on the roads.
He also mentioned the department’s commitment to supporting farmers. Under this program, the department charges ₹250 for two doses of the vaccine. If a cow does not conceive after the first dose, a second dose is provided at no extra charge. If the second dose also fails, the full amount is refunded, ensuring that farmers have nothing to lose by participating in the program.
Dr. Ashish highlighted that both Jersey and Holstein cows are eligible for this vaccination at the Baldwara Animal Hospital. So far, 64 cows have been vaccinated, with 12 currently pregnant, and 3 already having given birth to healthy female calves.
A Positive Impact on the Community
Ravipal Thakur, a veterinary assistant at the Baldwara Animal Hospital, emphasized the broader social and economic benefits of the program. He noted that the reduction in the birth of male calves, who often end up as stray animals, will not only help farmers but also reduce the number of accidents caused by wandering bulls on the roads.
Gratitude from Local Farmers
Farmers in the Baldwara region are already seeing the benefits of this initiative. Yashoda Devi, a resident of Nagrota village, shared her happiness after her cow gave birth to a healthy female calf three weeks ago following the vaccination. Other farmers in the area, like Saurabh Sharma, Jeevan Lal, and Raj Kumar Gupta, have also seen success with the program. They appreciate the initiative, noting that modern farming equipment like tractors has made bulls less necessary, making this program even more valuable.
For these farmers, the program is a game-changer, boosting milk production and income while eliminating the worries of managing unwanted male calves. They expressed heartfelt thanks to the state government, the Animal Husbandry Department, and Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu for making this valuable service accessible to all.
