Mizoram to set up artificial cattle breeding centre

Aizawl, Aug 7 (UNI) After attaining the credit of country's first Artificial Pig Insemination (API) with a success rate of more than 90 per cent, Mizoram government is all set to establish artificial cattle breeding centre here.

Mizoram government, under the state's Veterinary department has acquired 6000 doses of Holstein Friesen cattle breed of frozen semen and 4000 doses of Jersy breed for the purpose.

C Sangnghina, director Animal Husbandry and Veterinary told UNI here today that these frozen cattle semen, brought to the state in liquid nitrogen from Karnataka, will be available to cattle farmers for artificial insemination.

Artificial Insemination (AI) is the deposition of spermotozoa in the female genital tract through artificial means. It enables the use of superior boar to produce ten times more number of sows. The cost of artificial insemination is lower than that of natural service.

The department is currently taking seeps in AI not only for cattle, but also for pigs.

''At present Mizoram is the only state in the country to have taken up API in field level, which currently generates an average stock of about 6,700 piglets annually for commercial operations with the success rate of more than 90 per cent'', Mr Sangnghina claimed.

Apart from this, AH Veterinary department would be adopting more effective and scientific breeding practices to establish a world-class PAI network for rapid dessimination of superior germplasm of high pedigree boars and cover the entire breedable pig and cattle population, he said.

A short course training will also be organised for about 30 veterinary doctors for handling AI equipments, appliances and how to inseminate heated gilts and sows in the laboratories.

The animal husbandry complex also consists of a cattle breeding farm, a central poultry farm, state turkey breeding farm, feed mixing mill and a fodder seed production farm besides the regional pig breeding farm.

Mizoram pig population is estimated at 2,70,000 while the cattle population is about 10,000.

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