US based firm to revive pure breeds of buffaloes in Punjab

Chandigarh, May 10 (UNI) In a move that could revolutionise dairy farming in the state, the Punjab Government today agreed in principle to lend facilitating support to the setting of the first project for genetically controlled production of high quality livestock through 'sexed semen' and 'synchronization of heat' techniques.

The project, developed and piloted by the Indigene Life Science Technologies, USA would help revive the extinct pure breeds of Murrah and Neeli Ravi buffaloes and other high milk yielding breeds.

This pilot project, first of its kind in the country is likely to be set up in collaboration with the State Animal Husbandry Department and is aimed at boosting diary farming. The move assumes significance amidst reports of a fall away from traditional agricultural activity in the wake of un-remunerative rewards due to the steep increase in the cost of inputs.

The government's decision to encourage the new technology followed a meeting between Dr K S Chahal, Chairman and MD of Indigene Lifescience Technologies and Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal here this morning.

The government has asked Dr Chahal to explore the magnitude of potential to improve the existing livestock both qualitatively and quantitatively by making use of this technology. Dr Chahal has been assured all help and cooperation. The government is aiming to improve the milk yield from 12 Kg per buffalo to at least 20 Kg.

Mr Badal has convened the next meeting on Monday next when the detailed project will be discussed.

The importance attached by the government to the project was underlined by the presence of the top political and bureaucratic wings of the administration in it. Apart from the Chief Minister, the state Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal, Animal Husbandry Minister Gulzar Singh Ranike, Media Advisor to Chief Minister Harcharan Bains, Chief Secretary Ramesh Inder Singh, Principal Secretary Animal Husbandry S C Aggarwal, Principal Secretary Finance D S Kalha, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister D S Guru and Vice Chancellor Guru Angad Dev University of Veterinary Sciences Dr V K Taneja took part in the hour long meeting.

UNI