UNIFIED GENOMIC CHIP

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Context:

The Prime Minister has launched the Unified Genomic Chip to identify high-quality cattle.

About Unified Genomic Chip  

The main objective is to help farmers identify high-quality cattle for better breeding decisions to improve the overall quality of livestock.

The chip was developed by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD), which works under the Union Ministry of Animal Husbandry, Dairying, and Fisheries.

Versions of the Chip

Gau Chip is specifically designed for cattle. It helps in identifying high-quality bulls and cows for breeding to enhance the herd’s genetic quality.

Mahish Chip is developed for buffalo to help in selecting superior buffaloes for breeding purposes.

Functionality

The chip uses genomic selection techniques to analyze the DNA of cattle and buffalo. By examining specific genetic markers, it can predict the potential of young animals to become high-quality breeders.

Farmers can use the information provided by the chip to make informed decisions about which animals to keep for breeding and which to cull. This helps in maintaining a high-quality herd and improving productivity.

Benefits

• By identifying superior animals early, farmers can focus on breeding the best animals, leading to improvement in the overall quality of their livestock.
• Better quality cattle and buffaloes result in higher milk production and improved dairy farming efficiency.
• The chip is designed to be affordable for farmers, making advanced genomic selection technology accessible to a larger number of people.

Sex-Sorted Semen Technology

The technology aims to enhance the availability of sex-sorted semen for farmers to help them to select desired animal breeds.

This technology was developed by the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) under the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying. It is part of the ‘Make in India’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiatives to promote the development and use of indigenous technologies.

Functionality

• Sex-Sorted Semen is a ‘gender-selected’ semen used in Artificial Insemination (AI) for cattle and buffaloes to produce more than 90% of the desired gender (typically females). This is particularly useful for dairy farming, where female calves are often preferred for their milk-producing capabilities.
• IVF Technology uses In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), commonly known as test tube baby technology, to produce sex-sorted semen.

Benefits

• Sex-sorted semen is very effective in breed improvement. By ensuring a higher percentage of female calves, farmers can increase their milk production capacity.
• Previously, sex-sorted semen was manufactured by multinational companies and cost around Rs. 800 per dose. The indigenous technology has reduced this cost to Rs. 250 per dose, making it more affordable for farmers.
• The DAHD has planned to produce a minimum of 10 lakh sexed semen doses annually for the ongoing AI program, significantly boosting the availability of this technology to farmers.

Way Forward

The genomic chip and sex-sorted semen technology aim to improve the efficiency and quality of the dairy sector. By reducing costs and improving livestock quality, these technologies help farmers increase their productivity and profitability.

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Source: 

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