Uttarakhand plans genetic enhancement of its indigenous Badri cow

Tags: State News

Uttarakhand is now planning for its genetic development to increase the productivity of the indigenous Badri cow that grazes on medicinal herbs of the Himalayas.

Important facts

• The state Animal Husbandry Department proposed to use sex-sorted semen technology to improve the stock of the petite Badri cattle.

• Officials proposed to opt for the embryo transfer method to produce more cattle of a high genetic stock.

• The authorities decided to opt for multiple ovulation embryo transfer (MOET), a conventional embryo flush, which is the most common procedure used in advanced cattle breeding.

• Ovum pick-up In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is another technique that will be used to increase milk production.

About Badri Cow

• Badri Desi Cow is a native cow species of Uttarakhand.

• This cow grazes on native herbs and shrubs in the Himalayas and hence its milk has high medicinal value.

• These cattle are adapted to the hilly terrain and climatic conditions of Uttarakhand.

• This strong and disease resistant breed is found in the hilly areas of Almora and Pauri Garhwal districts of Uttarakhand.

• Disease resistance is a very important feature of this breed as it rarely gets any diseases.

Benefits of Badri Cow milk

• Badri cow milk contains about 90% A2 beta-casein protein which is the highest of any indigenous variety.

• The antioxidants present in its pure desi ghee help the body absorb vitamins and minerals better, thereby boosting immunity.

• The butyric acid in Badri cow ghee helps strengthen immunity by increasing T-cell production in the intestine and helps fight allergies.

• Badri ghee costs ₹3,000 to ₹5,000 a kg.