Promoting surrogacy to save Ongole bulls, Punganur cows

Anantapur: The Department of Animal Husbandry is embarking on a programme to preserving native breeds of Ongole bulls and Punganur cows by promoting surrogacy and embryo transplantation to local cows. Small cattle farmers are urging the government to supply Ongole breed cow semen at subsidised price as they were working towards the cause of preventing the two breeds from becoming extinct.

Animal Husbandry Joint Director Dr B Sanyasi Rao told The Hans India that they had supplied 500 semen doses of native breeds Ongole bulls apart from facilitating embryo transplantation. Research on improving the native breeds also will be carried out by the department. The programme is aimed at improving, conserving and propagating indigenous cow breeds through IVF embryo transplantation and as well as artificial insemination, Dr Sanyasi Rao said.

According to him, farmers need to purchase the semen at a price of Rs1000 each. Although there is no scheme to facilitate BPL farmers to undertake semen transplantation in their cows either free of cost or by slashing the price, they could purchase the semen and raise native cows.

The department had supplied 500 doses of the semen to interested farmers. Ongole and Punganur semen and embryos would be supplied to farmers who come forward. Research will be carried out on genetic upgradation of native breeds locally, said Sanyasi Rao. Small cattle farmers are however urging the government to supply doses of semen of Ongole breed at subsidised price, he said.