‘Sex Sorted Semen’ programme launched in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: For the development of dairy production, the Odisha government on Wednesday launched ‘Sex Sorted Semen’ under the Artificial Insemination programme at Krushi Bhavan, Bhubaneswar.

Launching the programme, Fisheries & Animal Resources Development minister Dr. Arun Kumar Sahoo, stated that sex-sorted semen technology would enhance milk production in the state through the production of around 90 percent of female calves.

Bovine breeding has played a key role in boosting farmers’ income in the state over the past two decades. State Government has taken several measures for the development of livestock farmers and dairy development has been identified as an engine of growth for farmers, women self-help groups, and entrepreneurs in the state.

As per reports, milk production in the state has increased around threefold during the last two decades. It has increased from 8.75 lakh metric tons in the year 2000 to over 23.731akh metric tons in 2021.

Genetic improvement of the breed through artificial insemination is taken up in a mission mode and currently, around 15 lakh cows are being inseminated annually, free of cost. 

Speaking on the occasion, the Agriculture Production Commissioner Sanjeev Chopra said that sex-sorted semen of advanced breeds such as Gir, Sahiwal, Cross Bred Jersey, Cross Bred Holstein Friesian among others would be available for farmers. The Artificial Insemination programme is being implemented by the Odisha Bovine Breeding Policy.

Principal Secretary, Department of Fisheries and Animal Resources Development, R Raghu Prasad stated that the sex-sorted semen programme will be implemented in all districts. “The State Government will be providing 75 percent subsidy to the dairy farmers. While the cost of a single dose of sex-sorted semen is Rs. 715, the government provides it to dairy farmers at Rs. 180 per dose,” he informed.

Further, in the Odisha Mineral Bearing Areas of the state covered under the OMBADC program, the sex-sorted semen program will be provided with a 100 % subsidy. During the year 2022- 23, over 5.50 lakh doses of sex-sorted semen will initially be utilized to cover over 1.20 lakh dairy animals in the State.

Under the Mukhyamantree Krushi Udyog Yojana (MKUY), a subsidy of up to 50 lakh rupees is being provided to farmers and entrepreneurs to set up new dairy units and milk processing plants. Over two lakhs sixty-three thousand dairy farmers of the state are now able to sell their milk to OMFED through 3700 milk producers’ cooperative societies.