Unleashing the Potential of Sexed Semen Technology for Sustainable Transformation of India’s Dairy Industry
摘要
In India, cattle have traditionally served a dual purpose: female cattle are valued for milk production, and male cattle for their draught power in agricultural activities and rural transportation. However, due to the mechanization of agricultural operations, reduction in landholding size, and the prohibition of cattle slaughtering, the utility of male cattle has significantly reduced, making them uneconomical for farmers. Undesired cattle are often abandoned creating animal welfare and public safety concerns. Sexed semen technology, which enables the production of offspring of desired sex, is a practical and ethically aligned solution for addressing the issue of surplus male cattle. Nevertheless, its adoption remains constrained by a range of technical, economic, institutional, regulatory, and policy factors. In this study, we have prioritized strategies using Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) method, to unlock the potential of sexed semen technology for optimizing cattle population while promoting ethical sustainability. The findings underscore the necessity of improving the conception efficiency of sexed semen through focused breeding research, disseminating information regarding its welfare and productivity potential, enhancing its availability, and incentivizing its adoption. To achieve this, the findings strongly advocate for collaborative efforts among government institutions, cooperatives, and private enterprises to ensure that this technology operates effectively in real-world conditions.