Context

• Union Minister of Science & Technology released “IndiGau’

 

About

• IndiGau is India’s first Cattle Genomic Chip for the conservation of pure varieties of indigenous cattle breeds like, Gir, Kankrej, Sahiwal, Ongole etc.
• This chip will have practical utility in the Governments schemes to achieve the goal of conservation of our own breeds with better characters and help towards doubling of farmers’ income by 2022.
• The manufacturing of this chip is in synergy with Rashtriya Gokul Mission.
• This indigenous chip was developed by the concerted efforts of scientists of National Institute of Animal Biotechnology (NAIB), Hyderabad, and an autonomous institution under the aegis of the Department of Biotechnology.

Importance of conserving Indigenous Breeds

• Crossbreds are more productive but their tendency to wilt under Indian conditions of low input and harsh climate and susceptibility to tropical diseases warrants the conservation and development of indigenous breeds.
• The annual loss in milk production of cattle and buffaloes due to thermal stress in 2020 is about 3.2 million tonnes of milk.
• Indigenous cattle are well known for their quality of heat tolerance and ability to withstand extreme climatic conditions.
• So, the urgency for protection and conservation of indigenous breeds cannot be over emphasised.
• For instance breeds like Punganur, Vechur and Krishna Valley are rapidly declining and require immediate attention.

 

Rashtriya Gokul Mission

• Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM) was launched in December 2014 for development and conservation of indigenous breeds through selective breeding in the breeding tract and genetic upgradation of nondescript bovine population.
• Rashtriya Gokul Mission will be implemented through the “State Implementing Agency (SIA viz Livestock Development Boards).
• The scheme comprises of two components namely National Programme for Bovine Breeding (NPBB) and National Mission on Bovine Productivity (NMBP).

 

Objectives

The Rashtriya Gokul Mission has the following objectives:

• To undertake breed improvement programme for indigenous cattle breeds so as to improve the genetic make-up and increase the stock.
• To enhance milk production and productivity of indigenous bovines.
• To upgrade nondescript cattle using elite indigenous breeds like Gir, Sahiwal, Rathi, Deoni, Tharparkar, Red Sindhi.
• To distribute disease-free high genetic merit bulls of indigenous breeds for natural service.

 

Initiatives under Rashtriya Gokul Mission

• Awardsfor encouraging farmers/breeder societies to rear Indigenous breeds of bovines:
• Gopal Ratna awards: for farmers maintaining the best herd of Indigenous Breed and practicing best management practices.
• Kamdhenu awards:for best managed Indigenous herd by Institutions/Trusts/ NGOs/ Gaushalas or best-managed Breeders’ societies.
• National Kamdhenu Breeding Centre:to develop and conserve Indigenous Breeds in a holistic and scientific manner.
• Gokul Gram:These are integrated cattle development centers, ‘Gokul Grams’ to develop indigenous breeds including up to 40% nondescript breeds (belonging or appearing to belong to no particular class or kind).
• E-Pashu Haat: An e-market portal connecting breeders and farmers, for quality- disease-free bovine germplasm.
• National Bovine Genomic Center for Indigenous Breeds (NBGC-IB) for selection of breeding bulls of high genetic merit at a young age using highly precise gene-based technology.
• Advanced Reproductive Technology:In-vitro Fertilization (IVF)/ Multiple Ovulation Embryo Transfer (MOET) and sex-sorted semen technique to improve the availability of disease-free female bovines.
• Pashu Sanjivni:to estimate bovine productivity by registration of bovine animals in milk production.

 

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1745479

https://krishijagran.com/animal-husbandry/india-s-first-cattle-genomic-chip-indigau-launched/