PM Modi launches standardized genome chip for cattle: How will it help farmers?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (PTI Photo)

2 minutes of reading Last update: October 5, 2024 | 15:10 IST

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday launched the ‘Unified Genomic Chip’, which aims to help farmers identify quality cattle early and increase dairy farming efficiency in India. The chip is available in two versions: ‘Gau Chip’ for cattle and ‘Mahish Chip’ for buffaloes.

Developed by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD), this chip is intended to help farmers make informed animal selection decisions by identifying young, high-quality bulls at an early age, the Center said in a press release. The chip is tailored to Indian cattle breeds and will help improve cattle quality and streamline the dairy farming sector.

Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh, Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India, delivered an inspiring speech at Pohara Devi in Washim Maharashtra at an event organized by the Prime Minister, highlighting the launch of Unified Genomic Chip-Gau… pic.twitter.com/XHWRZgOUsc

— Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Min. FAH&D (@Dept_of_AHD) October 5, 2024

During the event, Prime Minister Modi also introduced a new indigenous technology for sex-sorted semen production, which aims to increase the availability of sex-sorted semen to farmers, making it easier for them to select desired animal breeds. The project is a boost to the ‘Make in India’ initiative and will help farmers reduce costs by around Rs 200 per dose.

The 18th installment of PM-Kisan has started

The launch of the program coincided with the release of the 18th tranche of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) program by Prime Minister Modi. The Center said that at an event in Washim, Maharashtra, Prime Minister Modi launched the program to help 94 million farmers across the country.

As mentioned by the Center, PM-Kisan provides direct financial benefits of over Rs 20,000 crore to farmers “without involving any intermediaries”. In the 17th tranche of the scheme, 12 million farmers in Maharashtra benefited and received an amount of Rs 32,000 crore under the scheme.

First publication: October 5, 2024 | 15:10 IST