Union Agriculture

Union Agriculture Minister releases NDDB’s Golden Jubilee Coffee Table Book & launches Android based Application related to Artificial Insemination

New Delhi, 23 March 2017: Shri Radha Mohan Singh, Hon’ble Minister for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Govt of India released National Dairy Development Board’s (NDDB) Golden Jubilee Coffee Table Book titled “50 Years – The Great Indian Milk Revolution”and launched an Android based Application on improving dairy animal productivity through Artificial Insemination (AI) at Krishi Bhavan, New Delhi today. Shri Dilip Rath, Chairman NDDB and Shri Devendra Chaudhry, Secretary, DAHD&F graced the occasion.

In his address, Hon’ble Minister said that the Coffee Table Book features a glimpse of NDDB's 50-year remarkable journey and the value it has created for millions of dairy farmers in this country. The book exemplifies NDDB’s belief that cooperative principles are as relevant today as they were in the past and the institutions which follow these will form the structural framework for driving dairying in future. It also highlights the Dairy Board's efforts towards bringing about socio-economic change in rural India.

The Union Agriculture Minister said, “As a result of NDDB's sustained efforts through Operation Flood and the present National Dairy plan, India's dairy sector has succeeded in maintaining a steady growth. In terms of value, milk is the single largest agricultural commodity in India. India's milk production grew at about 6.5 % annually for the last 2 years as against about 4.5 % per annum over the previous 10 years, which is almost double as compared to the growth in world milk production. About 1.7 lakh dairy cooperatives are reaching out and serving almost 15.8 million milk producers, one third of them being women, across the country in terms of providing them market access and input services, thereby strengthening their livelihoods.”

He said that NDDB's efforts have greatly contributed to bringing about nutritional security to the country, self-sufficiency in milk and providing safe and wholesome milk and milk products to the consumers at affordable prices. NDDB has over the years worked towards putting in place a scientific approach and systematic processes to create an enabling environment for future growth of dairying in the country.

While launching NDDB’s Android based Information System for Genetic Improvement of Cattle & Buffaloes through AI, Shri Radha Mohan Singh said that Artificial Insemination (AI) is a tool to achieve faster genetic progress in cattle and buffaloes. Genetic improvement occurs only when good bulls are utilized to inseminate cows or buffaloes. The Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for AI includes - identification of every inseminated animal and all calves born using an ear tag with unique number; use of semen from only ‘A’ or ‘B’ grade semen stations and recording of all information. AI service following SOPs delivered at the doorstep of farmers is central to scientific animal breeding.

He thanked NDDB for putting in place an integrated information system for recording data (on individual animal basis), analysis and dissemination to various stakeholders. Information related to AI delivery, performance recording, animal health and animal nutrition services are recorded by service providers in the system.

Shri Dilip Rath, Chairman NDDB informed that realizing the Info System’s effectiveness in monitoring the performance of dairy bovines in many projects, DAHD&F, GoI, has recommended its use for the implementation of National Programme on Bovine Breeding – a central sector scheme. The system is now upgraded to enable AI Technician (AIT) to capture information right at farmer’s doorstep using his smartphone. This digital initiative will help farmers improve conception rate, reduce inter-calving period and select best bulls and cows.

Shri Rath said that NDDB’s efforts are always aimed at improving productivity, profitability, sustainability, thereby improving livelihoods of smallholder milk producers. He stressed that we should strive hard to reach out to the smallest and farthest milk producer so that they become self-sufficient. NDDB will continue to guide member-owned and member-controlled institutions and offer our dairy farmers their best path to a better life.

Shri Devendra Chaudhry, Secretary, DAHD&F said that there is an immediate need to introduce innovative practices to take the dairy sector forward. He said that it is our collective responsibility to raise awareness about the merits of cooperative dairying.