Punjab Targets 30-Lakh Artificial Inseminations to Boost Milk Production

Chandigarh: The Punjab Animal Husbandry department has set an ambitious target of 30 lakh artificial inseminations across the state to enhance milk production and disease resistance in animals by improving breed quality.

Animal Husbandry Minister S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian revealed that the state has two semen stations in Nabha and Ropar, housing 139 bulls of Murrah and other breeds. The Nabha station has 93 bulls, including 60 Murrah buffalo bulls, while the Ropar station has 46 bulls, including 26 Murrah buffalo bulls.

The state has undertaken three major projects - Progeny Testing of Murrah and Sahiwal, and Pedigree Selection of Nili Ravi - to become a hub for dairy development. These projects aim to improve the genetic potential of Murrah, Sahiwal, and Nili Ravi breeds through the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) under the Rashtriya Gokul Mission.

The total financial outlay for these projects is around Rs. 57 crore, with Rs. 28.5 crore allocated for PT-Murrah, Rs. 20.88 crore for PT-Sahiwal, and Rs. 7.55 crore for PS-Nili Ravi. So far, Rs. 25.8 crore has been utilized, with Rs. 16.25 crore spent on PT-Murrah, Rs. 6.89 crore on PT-Sahiwal, and Rs. 2.66 crore on PS-Nili Ravi.

The projects have procured 419 Murrah, 194 Sahiwal, and 19 Nili Ravi high-genetic-merit male calves since 2019. Minister Khudian emphasized the importance of robust monitoring and recording systems, stating that these projects will transform Punjab's dairy sector by improving genetic potential, increasing milk production, and enhancing farmers' income.

Director Animal Husbandry Dr. Gursharanjit Singh Bedi said the department has established a system of proper monitoring and recording of breeding and milking activities to make Punjab a center of attraction for dairy development and help farmers increase their income.