Punjab News : A high-level delegation from New Zealand, including Professor Garry Udy from MPI, Prof Nicolas Lopez from Massey University, and Dr David Hayman from TRG/ABS, along with Dr RO Gupta from NDDB, met with Punjab’s Principal Secretary of Animal Husbandry, Mr. Rahul Bhandari, on Tuesday. The discussion focused on fostering collaboration in animal husbandry, particularly in animal breeding and smallholder dairy systems.
Mr. Bhandari provided insights into the ongoing initiatives under the National Dairy Plan-1, launched in July 2013. He highlighted the project’s emphasis on enhancing the genetic merit of cattle and buffalo through progeny testing, genetic evaluation, and selective breeding.
The key objectives include producing high genetic merit (HGM) bulls for semen stations, establishing a robust genetic evaluation system for young bulls, bull dams, and bull sires, and ensuring consistent genetic progress in milk, fat, SNF (solid-not-fat), and protein yields.
Currently, the project is operational in 160 institutions across three Punjab districts—Patiala, Sangrur, and Barnala. Notable achievements include over 4,50,000 artificial inseminations, registration of 50,000 female calves, body measurements of 2,20,000 animals, milk recording and classification of 6,000 calved daughters, and procurement of 650 HGM male calves.
Mr. Bhandari stressed the importance of acquiring high-quality bulls to further boost milk production and quality in the state.
The delegation also engaged in in-depth discussions on management practices and visited project villages in Patiala district, including Chaswal, Saholi, and Laut, where they interacted with local farmers and observed the success of the Murrah Progeny Testing (PT) Project.
Accompanied by Punjab’s Director of Animal Husbandry, Dr. GS Bedi, the New Zealand representatives expressed satisfaction with the project’s progress.
The meeting was also attended by Project Coordinator Dr. Amit Khurana and Dr. RPS Bali.
