DADF’s Mass Embryo Transfer Programme Starts from Oct 2

New Delhi: Department of Animal husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries (DADF) has planned to carry out 440 embryo transfers during October 2-10, 2017 throughout the country. It is part of a Mass Embryo Transfer programme in Indigenous Breeds under the scheme, National Mission on Bovine Productivity carried out by DADF in co-operation with 12 States.

Embryo transfer technology (ETT) has revolutionized the breeding strategies in Bovines as a tool to optimize the genetic improvement in cattle.

Through the use of  ETT,  (i) a farmer can get  a 5-6 fold increase in number of offsprings , (ii) the calves  so born will be of high genetic merit  and (iii) the offsprings born will be  free from diseases.

The programme has been initiated in 12 ETT centres across the country from 2^nd October and will continue till 10^th October 2017. Under this programme, embryos of higher genetic merit indigenous bovines are being transferred in to surrogate cows. Embryos of Indigenous breeds such as Sahiwal, Gir, Red Sindhi, Ongole, Deoni and Vechur  have been proposed to be transferred under this programme. On first day of ET programme held on 2^nd October, 35 Nos. of embryos were transferred in to recipients. Remaining will be transferred on different days till 10^th of October 2017.

The technology now being taken up to the doorstep of the farmers will result in rapid propogation of high genetic merit indigenous cattle.