March 8, 2022

Meghalaya, India acquires bull semen straws to expand artificial insemination exercise

The state government of Meghalaya, India, was procuring 5,000 Ongole bull semen straws to expand an artificial insemination exercise in the state, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Minister Sanbor Shullai said.

Shullai said, with the introduction of Ongole bull and other exotic breed bull in the state, Meghalaya will become self-sufficient in meat production in a short span of time.

The existing cattle population in the state is 9.5 lakh as per the 2019 livestock census. With this intervention, the government is hoping for an increase of at least 15 lakh in a short span of time.

Shullai added that since the enactment of the new Cattle Prevention Act by the Assam government last year, the department has issued 280 transit permits to genuine local traders, dairy cooperative societies and others.

He asserted that the department is setting up check posts in various entry and exit points of the state to check vehicles carrying cattle and to prevent unauthorised transportation and detection of smuggling.

Total beef consumption in Meghalaya last year was approximately 26,000 tonnes, out of which beef that were produced domestically was approximately 10,000 tonnes.

- The Shillong Times