December 31, 2024

 

Brazil offers expertise to boost genetic improvement of India's dairy cattle

Brazil, a leading global producer of dairy products, is extending its expertise in genetic improvement of dairy cattle to India.

 

Through advanced technologies such as insemination and embryo transfer, Brazil aims to enhance the productivity of India's cattle.

 

Raquel Borges, international supervisor for the Brazilian Association of Zebu Breeders (ABCZ), revealed ongoing projects to apply Brazilian expertise to breed development in India. She highlighted discussions about establishing a joint Zebu research institute in both countries, focusing on increasing milk production and improving herd genetics.

 

India, despite being the world's largest milk producer, struggles with low productivity due to small herd sizes and limited genetic improvement in recent years. As part of this collaboration, India's National Dairy Development Board has placed an initial trial order for 50,000 semen doses from a champion bull in Brazil for inseminating native cows. Indian private breeders have also begun sending personnel to Brazilian dairy farms for training.

 

ABCZ, which boasts over 24,000 members, maintains the genetic purity of Zebu cattle and manages the world's largest database of registered breeds, with over 7 million animals. Brazil's cattle herd, the largest commercial herd globally, numbers 220 million, with 80% being Zebu varieties and the remaining 20% comprising European breeds like Jersey.

 

Brazil's dairy productivity far surpasses India's, with average daily milk yields of 20-22 litres compared to India's 8-10 litres. This disparity underscores the potential benefits of genetic collaboration.

 

Brazil's relationship with Indian cattle dates to the late 19th and early 20th centuries when it imported Indian Zebu breeds such as Gir, Ongole, Red Sindhi, and Kankrej. Crossbreeding efforts in Brazil have resulted in the Girolando breed, which combines the Gir's adaptability to tropical climates with the Holstein's high milk production.

 

Efforts to finalise phytosanitary norms for technology transfer are underway. Borges noted the importance of these norms in enabling the exchange of expertise and resources.

 

India's genetic improvement programme, initiated in the early 1960s, focused on crossbreeding Indian cattle with high milk-producing breeds like Holstein Friesian and Jersey. However, officials acknowledge that genetic development in Indian cows has stagnated, necessitating efforts to enhance the genetics of native varieties.

 

In addition to dairy collaboration, Brazil remains a major player in global beef production, with over 10 million tonnes produced in 2023. Of this, 76% was consumed domestically, and 24% was exported, solidifying Brazil's position as the world's largest meat exporter.

 

Trade relations between India and Brazil have been on a steady rise, with a bilateral trade target of US$50 billion by 2030. In 2023, trade between the two nations reached US$11.5 billion, encompassing key agricultural products, ethanol manufacturing, and imports of pulses.

 

-      Financial Express