Sets aside ₹1 cr. for gaushala in each district; artificial insemination and bull-sterilisation to achieve numbers

The quest for genetic perfection has reached the door of the holy cow. The Maharashtra government has directed all State- funded gaushalas, or cow shelters, to ensure reproduction of a ‘pure breed’ of through artificial insemination. The animals had better not stray; no natural mating will be encouraged, and bulls will be sterilised.

Animal Husbandry Minister Mahadev Jankar told The Hindu the move is aimed at increasing the number of “pure desi cows” in the State and avoiding cross-breeding. According to thegovernment resolution, “Cross-breeding may lead to the stunted growth of calves, delay in pregnancy, abortion. To avoid all this, bulls in the gaushalas should be sterilised.”

The government has earmarked ₹1 crore under its ‘Govardhan Govansh Seva Kendra’ policy to start a gaushala in each district, except Mumbai and Mumbai suburban. It released ₹5.25 crore to 21 gaushalas on March 31, 2018, to help the shelters protect cow progeny.

While the cows are not free to find their partners, the upshot, as Mr. Jankar said, is that it will help farmers. “In the natural course, a bull can mate with a cow for a maximum of three times. But if we adopt the artificial insemination method, the sperm collected from the bull can be used for at least 100 cows.”

The sperm, he said, will be from a “pure-breed” bull. “Directions have been given to the department officials to extend all possible veterinary help to these gaushalas to increase the number of pure-breed cows.”

There are further directives on what should be done with such pure progeny. The government resolution says male calves born through artificial insemination should be given to the Maharashtra Livestock Development Board’s frozen semen laboratories at minimum prices.

Cows and bulls can no longer play the field, it seems.