Indigenous Sex sorting technology for bovine to be dedicated to the nation soon: Dr. Meenesh Shah, Chairman NDDB

• Alamadhi Semen station, Chennai produces 10 million doses of frozen bovine semen annually
• The station to play a pivotal role in augmenting milk production in Southern states

Alamadhi (Chennai), May 28, 2024: Alamadhi Semen Station of NDDB Dairy Services, a wholly owned subsidiary of National Dairy Development Board is developing the indigenous sex sorting technology with the support of Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Government of India. It plans to dedicate the indigenously developed technology of bovine semen to the nation soon, Dr. Meenesh Shah, Chairman, NDDB & NDDB Dairy Services informed reporters at Alamadhi Semen Station in Chennai. 

Sex sorting of bovine semen is being undertaken at Alamadhi Semen Station with an aim to enhance the probability of birth of female calves, which in turn will help increase milk production in the country. The initiative is being supported by the Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Government of India

Dr. Shah said the production and field trials of indigenously developed technology for sex sorting of bovine semen is currently underway whose results are expected to arrive by August 2024. 

“We started the trial run of the indigenous technology from the March 2024 at Alamadhi and till date, 5000 doses of sex sorted bovine semen have been produced. Post the review of the trial results, the technology can be dedicated to nation,” Dr. Meenesh Shah added.  

“The frozen semen of bulls of high genetic merit being produced at Alamadhi Semen Station is immensely benefitting for the dairy farmers in the states of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha, Kerala and Karnataka among others. Annually, the station produces and sells 10 million semen doses under the brand ‘Superior animal Genetics’. The brand commands a market share of close to 40% across the country”. he added 

Spread over 358 acres, Alamadhi Semen Station has been in operation since May 2015. Consistently rated as “A” category by the Central Monitoring Unit of the Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Government of India, the station has capacity to produce 100 lakhs doses of frozen semen per annum. It houses 300 bulls of 25 breeds of high genetic merit at its premises in a hygienic bio secured environment for production of disease-free semen. 

Fourteen indigenous cattle breeds including Kangayam of Tamil Nadu; Punganur & Ongole from Andhra Pradesh; Vechur from Kerala and Hallikar, Amritmahal, Malnadu Gidda of Karnataka. Punganur & Vechur being the smallest cattle breed in the world are maintained at the Semen Station. 

With the high genetic merit semen, the daily milk potential of indigenous breeds is about fifteen litres and that of exotic breeds ranges between 25-50 litres.

The station is involved in the implementation of Artificial Insemination projects in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh under Rashtriya Gokul Mission. 

The semen station is also involved in the establishment of a Liquid nitrogen grid, that is critical to the success of AI activities. It also houses a 200 cu-m bio gas plant which supplements the energy needs of the station. 

NDDB is also playing a part in strengthening the Central Cattle Breeding Farm at Alamadhi under Rashtriya Gokul Mission of the Government of India. Central Cattle Breeding Farm is housed adjacent to the Semen Station and the organisation is working on strengthening its cattle and fodder farm, IVF lab and setting up of training centre. 

Besides Alamadhi, NDDB Dairy Services also owns and manages 3 major Semen Stations in the country – Rahuri Semen Station, Rahuri, Maharashtra; Sabarmathi Ashram Gaushala, Bidaj, Gujarat and Animal Breeding Centre, Salon, Uttar Pradesh