BHU achieves success in conservation of indigenous cow breeds

Varanasi: In continuation of the efforts for the conservation of indigenous cattle breeds under the project entitled "Conservation of Elite Indigenous Breeds of Cows Using Modern Techniques and Surrogacy," the faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Barkachha, Mirzapur, achieved another success by reporting the pregnancy of four nondescript cows through Multiple Ovulation Embryo Transfer Technology (MOET) at Rajiv Gandhi South Campus, dairy farm.These cows are pregnant following the transfer of high-quality Sahiwal embryos. In this process, sex-sorted semen was used, hence there is a 95% chance of them having good genetic value female calves. These pregnant cows will deliver the calves in May and June 2026. This effort will enable the dairy farm to upgrade with the pure breed of Sahiwal calf. If this technology is used for the farmers of the Vindhyan regions, it will certainly contribute to sustainable dairy farming, ensure the economic upliftment of rural households, and advance national goals of food and nutritional security under the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat."I congratulate the team members of the faculty involved in the project- Manish Kumar, principal investigator, with Kaustubh Kishor Saraf and Ajeet Singh as Co-PIs, for carrying out such research and services which will directly benefit the economically weaker section of the people," said Prof B M N Kumar, professor in-charge, RGSC. The team at BHU is actively working towards advancing its assisted reproductive technology (ART) programme by integrating more sophisticated reproductive technologies and expanding outreach to rural farmers.