Effectiveness of artificial insemination in dairy cattles: Recent evidences from India’s milking state of Gujarat

The importance of Livestock Sector is proving in Agriculture Sector as is evident from its rising share in Agricultural GDP. However the growth of Livestock Sector is conditioned by livestock support services, wherein the performance of services is judged from the efficiency and effectiveness of livestock support services. The present study is targeted at this crucial component of development. The efficient delivery of Artificial Insemination has become a subject of rising concern to many national and international organisations such as FAO, World Bank and ILRI in India, recognising the importance of livestock for the rural poor and their limited financial access to these livestock support, the central and state governments have been extending these services at a huge subsidy. There is a vast network of veterinary institution in the public sector that offers veterinary and breeding services to the farmers at very low prices. It’s a well known fact that India is having highest livestock population in world as well as highest buffalo population also but still we are lacking behind in milk productivity as most of our livestock are nondescript and local breed whose milk productivity s very low. Artificial Insemination is playing an important role for the improvement of coming progeny of Nondescript Cattle breeds of India. The present study is focusing on the economic framework and the context for effective and efficient delivery of Artificial Insemination services to the farmers in Gujarat, which is one of the leading states having good network of different agencies (cooperative network, NGOs, and public sectors) providing livestock services. Gujarat State has a noteworthy position in the country as far as livestock wealth and dairy development is concerned. Animal Husbandry and Dairy sector contributes about 5.19% share to the Gross State Domestic Product of the State. Gujarat is lucky to have high yielding indigenous breed of cattle and buffaloes. Gir and Kankrej breed of cows and Jafarabadi, Mehsani, Surti, and Banni breed of buffaloes are well known for their high yielding capacity. Kankrej bullocks are known for their sawaichal and cows are good milk producers. Indigenous livestock breeds were developed for their utility under a certain set of agro climatic conditions and have developed some unique traits. Conservation of these breeds to be done in a way that they may yield the greatest sustainable benefits to present generation, while maintaining its potential to meet the needs and aspiration of future generation. The best way to conserve these resources is within their native environment with the help of livestock owners and non-government organizations. Emphasis is laid on improving the performance of local breed though improves germ plasma through selective breeding, improving feeding resources and adequate health coverage. The institutional herds maintain at research stations/ university/state breeding farms/artificial insemination centres/bull mother farms-GLDB etc. are constantly strengthened both in terms of superior germ plasma as well as modern tools and techniques. Considerable success has been made in the western countries in conservation of their breeds. This has been possible through breeder’s societies and keeping proper animal records. In India farmers raised the livestock but no data recording system is followed in the field. Therefore, proper evaluation of indigenous breeds for further improvement is difficult. The Central Herd Registration Scheme has been launched by the Central Government for registration of outstanding animals in their respective home tract. It has become imperative to form breeder’s