New Delhi, Jan 17 (UNI) Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Radha Mohan Singh on Wednesday released the coffee table book on mass embryo transfer by Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairy, and Fisheries (DADF) and also launched software to collect data for 20th Livestock Census.

The Minister released the coffee table book at Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi.
The Agriculture Minister said on October 2-10, 2017, DADH in co-operation with 12 States undertook a Mass Embryo Transfer programme in Indigenous Breeds under the scheme, National Gokul Mission. Under this programme, embryos of higher genetic merit indigenous bovines such as Sahiwal, Gir, Red Sindhi, Ongole, Deoni, and Vechur were transferred into surrogate cows. These cows were identified by UID and are under observation.
The superior quality calves will be used for semen production at semen centres.
The Minister said through the use of Embryo transfer technology (ETT), a farmer can get a 5-6 fold increase in the number of offspring, which will be free from diseases. 50 embryo transferred technology labs are being established under Rashtriya Gokul Mission. These labs will provide a new direction for the conservation and preservation of indigenous breeds.
The Minister, who also launched software to collect data for 20th livestock Census, said this software will have all the tools to prepare analytical reports and real-time monitoring of census operation.
Mr Singh said the Central government has set the target of doubling farmers’ income in the next 5 years and dairy sector will play a significant role in achieving the same. DADF has prepared an Action Plan on Dairy Development to achieve this target.

A Vision 2022 document, prepared on the basis of National Action Plan, was also launched by the Minister.

The document includes an outline for dairy development, recommends measures to double the farmers’ income, and also focuses on ways and means of making milk and milk products pure and safe.
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