Tirupati:With an aim to meet the requirements of the temple, Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam ( TTD ) has embarked upon an innovative project to enhance indigenous milk production through embryo transfer under the instructions of TTD Executive Officer Dr KS Jawahar Reddy.
As part of its Hindu Sanatana Dharma Prachara, TTD started SV Gosamrakshanashala in 1956 as SV Dairy Farm and later changed the name as SV Goshala in 2004. TTD has also commenced another Goshala in a sprawling area of 400 acres near Palamaner in Chittoor district to develop indigenous breeds.
At present, there are over 3000 cattles in these two centres. Among them, 600 are breeding cattle with many types of Indian breeds including Gir, Shahiwal, Ongole, Kangeyam, the shortest among cows in the world-Punganur breed of Chittoor.
To sustain the productivity of indigenous breeds as well to enhance milk production, TTD has now focused on Embryo Transfer Technology to upgrade the bovines at SV Goshala.
The proposed project mulled by TTD is aimed at improving genetic potential of dairy cattle located at SV Goshala with a technique called Embryo Derived Pregnancies, "EDP" (IVF-ET) on current set of animals.
This technology will not only help to increase productivity of animals but also reduces the risks of disease transmission by producing calves with superior germplasm.
According to SV Goshala Director Dr Harnath Reddy, though it takes nine months time for the production of off springs, for these calves to turn into full fledged milch yielding cows, it will take three years. "Our chief motto is to protect, preserve and develop cent percent 'desi' breeds for better yield, risk free and more self-reliant to meet the needs of the requirements of various temples located under the umbrella of TTD", he added.(UNI)