CHAPTER

CHAPTER - 1

GENESIS AND SALIENT FEATURES

1. Introduction:

1.1 Several schemes under different plan periods have been implemented both with Central and State funds to strengthen cattle and buffalo breeding activities in the States. Substantial infrastructure has been created leading to enhanced output from cattle and buffalo, particularly in terms of milk. Despite this, the low productivity level of our livestock is the major concern in the development of 289 million cattle and buffalo. Nearly 80% of our cattle and 60 % of buffaloes are low yielding and do not belong to the defined breeds. Around 20% of all breedable bovines are under AI coverage and conception rate of AI is about 20%. Breed improvement programmes for indigenous milch and draught breeds are also not effectively organised. A systematic and focussed attention to provide pedigreed bulls for natural mating systems and revamp the AI network in terms of coverage as well as quality of resources and services is needed to realise full potential of the large bovine population. The existing artificial breeding infrastructure consisting of bull stations, semen banks, etc. suffers from several inadequacies and has vast scope of improvement.

1.2. The Government of India initiated action in the beginning of 9^th Plan towards formulation of a comprehensive scheme for cattle and buffalo breeding in consultation with State Governments and other concerned agencies with an aim to consolidate the gains achieved till 8^th Plan Period, to maximise returns on investments, and to ensure sustainability of operations as well as quality in breeding inputs and services. These efforts culminated in merger of the ongoing centrally sponsored schemes on cattle and buffalo breeding, namely Extension of Frozen Semen Technology & Progeny Testing Programmes (EFST&PTP) and National Bull Production Programmes (NBPP) into a new centrally sponsored scheme the National Project for Cattle and Buffalo Breeding (NPCBB) which aims at thorough re-organization and reorientation of the cattle and buffalo breeding operations in the country.

1.3. The proposed scheme entitled National Project for Cattle and Buffalo Breeding envisage inter-alia

(i) radically improving coverage of bovine population under organised breeding programmes

(ii) delivery of breeding inputs at the farmer's doorstep

(iii) improvement in quality of bulls used for natural service

(iv) conservation of indigenous breeds

(v) imposing a levy on services and inputs to` make the agencies providing the same self sustaining through recycling of receipts thus accrued

(vi) strict quality control of services and inputs

(vii) optimum capacity utilization in institutional infrastructure

(viii) developing synergies among major players

(ix) putting in place field recording and progeny testing programmes through networking for indigenous cattle, crossbred cattle and buffaloes to identify and propagate superior germ-plasm for genetic improvement

(x) making training and retraining of professionals and AI workers an integral part of the scheme

2. Duration of Project

Originally the project spanning over 10 years was to be completed in two phases. However, due to delay in approval of the project, the activities will now spill over beyond the 9^th Plan and will be implemented with allocation as approved by the Planning Commission for the period beyond the 9^th Plan. In effect years 2000-2001 and 2001-2002 will be the first two years of Phase - I of the Project, and the remaining activities of Phase - I will spill over into the first three years of the 10^th Plan

3. Approval by Government of India

Approval of Government of India for implementation of the project throughout the country; on 100% grant-in-aid basis; over a ten year period in two phases each of five years with an allocation of Rs 402.00 crore for Phase-I with the provision that fund requirements would be reviewed on annual basis as the scheme progresses; implementation in first two years of Phase-I during the 9^th Plan with an allocation of Rs 44.00 crore during 2000 -2001 and Rs 135.05 crore during 2001-2002 with all estimates, components, physical / financial targets given in Appendices I & II; and continuation of spill over activities of Phase-I during 10^th Plan; has since been obtained. Administrative Approval for the scheme has been issued vide this Department's O.M. No. 45-4(I)/98-LDT dated 18 October 2000.

4. Objectives

4.1 The Project envisages 100% grant-in-aid to implementing agencies to achieve the following objectives : (i) To arrange delivery of a vastly improved artificial insemination service at the farmers' door-step ; (ii) to progressively bring all breedable females among cattle and buffalo, under organised breeding through artificial insemination or Natural Service by high quality bulls, within a period of ten years; (iii) to undertake breed improvement programme for indigenous cattle and buffalo breeds so as to improve their genetic qualities as well as their availability; and (iv)to provide quality breeding inputs in breeding tract of important indigenous breeds so as to prevent the breeds from deterioration and extinction.

4.2. These objectives are sought to be realised by :

(a) Establishing appropriate institutional structures to channel and supply high quality breeding inputs and services,

(b) Setting up national standards for bulls, semen, semen laboratories and AI services to guarantee quality assurance,

(d) Regulating and strengthening breeding system in area covered by natural service.

4.3. Broad frame-work of cattle and buffalo breeding policy recommended for the country since mid-sixties envisaged selective breeding of indigenous breeds in their breeding tracts and use of such breeds for upgrading a proportion of non-descript stock. While the frame-work was accepted by the States, appropriate operationalisation of the same through field level programmes could not be done because of various reasons. Lack of interest in promoting Breed Organisation/Societies and related farmers' bodies contributed to gradual deterioration of indigenous breeds. Majority of owners having indigenous breeds were not willing to accept AI which came to be the prime Government intervention towards breed improvement. Eventually availability of good quality bulls to be used for natural mating in breeding tracts became scarce, leading to further deterioration of indigenous breeds in these tracts. The National Project now formulated will comprehensively deal with the problem and insist on adoption of specific measures for conservation of indigenous breeds

5. Project Components

5.1. To make the project effective inter-component flexibility of expenditure will be allowed subject to prior approval of the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying so that the programmes are acceptable to all involved agencies in all parts of the country of continental size. The project components specially designed to address the existing inadequacies will focus on the hitherto neglected natural mating system as well as the AI network.

5.2 All activities consistent with the objectives and essential for implementation of NPCBB will be covered under the scheme. The Project Components given below constitute an indicative but not detailed list:

5.2.1 Streamlining storage and supply of liquid nitrogen : This is proposed to be accomplished by sourcing supply from industrial gas manufacturers and setting up infrastructure for bulk transport and bulk storage.

5.2.2 Introduction of quality bulls with high genetic merit : This is proposed to be accomplished through field recording programmes by selected dairy cooperatives, breeders' associations and other suitable agencies; re-organisation and intensification of progeny testing programmes , and setting up of Open Nucleus Breeding Systems (ONBS).

5.2.3. Promotion of private mobile AI practice for door-step delivery of AI services: This is proposed to be accomplished through training in AI practice; support for acquisition of equipment; stipend during initial practice period and; provision for regular supply of frozen semen and liquid nitrogen at production cost.

5.2.4. Conversion of existing stationary Government AI centres to mobile practices : This is proposed to be achieved by providing portable liquid nitrogen containers; supply of quality genetic inputs and authorising private practice at farmer's doorstep to provide more effective and timely AI service to bovines.

5.2.5. Quality control of goods and services at sperm stations, semen banks and training institutions : This is proposed to be achieved by appropriate strengthening of these institutions, laying down standards for bulls/semen and establishment of a computer network for close monitoring .

5.2.6. Study of breeding systems in areas out of reach of AI : This will be necessary not only to create an understanding of the systems in vogue and farmers' preferences , but also to bring about systematic improvement in these areas in far larger number of uncovered animals than those presently covered under AI. Many of the owners of good specimens of indigenous breeds in breeding tracts do not accept AI for breeding their animals and resort to natural mating. It will be necessary to provide them access to good quality breeding bulls to avoid degeneration of their stock.

5.2.7. Institutional restructuring: It will be necessary to (a) incorporate/nominate specialized autonomous and professional State Implementing Agencies for managing production and supply of genetic inputs and liquid nitrogen on a sustained basis, by building professionalism in breeding operations which is highly lacking today; and (b) set up a specialized National Body to: (i) provide technical backstopping to the project, (ii) network with scientific institutions , ICAR Institutes and State Agricultural Universities, (iii) operate a national semen grid for identifying and transferring semen to manage optimal use of genetic inputs, (iv) evolve and operationalise national standards for semen production and (v) bring about improvement of our indigenous breeds, whose tracts runs across States, a task highly neglected so far.

5.2.8. Other allied activities : Pre-project survey, project preparation and appraisal as well as rapid computerisation of sperm stations, farms, field performance recording units etc. will also be covered under the Project.

6. Integration with other programmes

6.1. The Departmental programmes on Central Cattle Breeding Farms (CCBFs), Central Frozen Semen Production & Training Institute (CFSP&TI), Central Herd Registration Scheme (CHRS) and All India Milk Yield Competition under Animal Husbandry Extension Programme will be synchronised with the National Project for Cattle & Buffalo Breeding so as to draw optimum advantage out of these programmes, particularly in terms of identification, production and supply of elite germ-plasm, and training of manpower.

6.2. An installed milk processing capacity of 30.90 million litres per day exists in the government and co-operative sectors. Consequent on the economic liberalisation, substantial capability to the extent of 23.20 million litres per day, has been created in the private dairy processing sector. The average capacity utilisation in the sector is a little over 60 %. For the areas left out of the coverage of any organised programme of dairy development, a plan scheme of Integrated Dairy Development Project for Non-operation Flood, backward and hilly areas has been launched since 1993-94 on 100% grant basis. Under this Scheme 35 projects covering 15 states have already been initiated and milk processing capacities are thus being created in such areas also. There is a need to build up proper scientific breeding infrastructure in so far neglected areas. The proposed project will address these areas also.

6.3. Some of the components of NPCBB, namely AI centres and liquid nitrogen storage system, will be eligible for funding from schemes of the Ministry of Rural Development provided that proposals for the same are supported by respective DRDAs. The State Implementing Agencies formed under NPCBB will strive to formulate district plans in consultation with DRDAs so as to augment fund flow for development of breeding infrastructure. A similar approach will be adopted for multidisciplinary schemes of other Departments having a component for livestock development.

7. Implementation Agencies

7.1 Implementation of the project nationally will be spearheaded, co-ordinated and monitored by a Central Project Management Unit (CPMU) with a core staff of specialized and professional personnel.

7.2. A State Implementing Agency (SIA) is to be designated by each state for implementation of the Project. An existing autonomous body in the State having kindred functions is to be entrusted with the responsibility and only in the absence of such an effective body already existing in a State, would creation of a new structure be advised. The participating agencies in the States would also include State Departments of AH, State Co-operative Milk Federations, State Agricultural/Veterinary Universities, non-governmental organizations, breeders' associations, gaushalas etc. who will receive 100 % grant-in-aid for the project activities through the SIA.

7.3. The State Bodies will be commercially viable enterprises generating operating incomes for meeting their establishment costs through operations undertaken. However , in the initial years these bodies will meet their establishment costs with the managerial grants provided under the Project.

7.4. Participating agencies under control of Central Government will receive project grants directly from the National Body.

8. Sanction of State Projects

The States will be requested to formulate proposals (State sub-projects) as per Guidelines of National Project for Cattle & Buffalo Breeding (Copy enclosed). The state sub-project is to be prepared on the basis of a pre-project survey and situation analysis. The proposals will be scrutinised by the CPMU and sanctions will be issued with approval of competent authority.

9. Expected Benefits

(i) Over 70% bovines are to be covered under organised breeding programme, which means covering more than double the number covered presently.

(ii) Door step delivery of AI services to improve accessibility will be adopted in contrast to the present system of taking the animals to stationary AI centres.

(iii) Some 14,000 private AI practitioners will be introduced for door step delivery of AI, over and above the existing AI workers under Government, Cooperatives and NGOs. This will generate employment and ensure wider coverage.

(iv) Specialised Agencies will manage breeding operations on scientific lines.

(v) In order to produce quality bulls to be used for breeding, large scale screening of elite animals from farmers' herds will be conducted.

(vi) Inferior quality bulls presently used for natural service will be phased out and replaced with pedigreed bulls.

(vii) Production of improved females will lead to gradual replacement of low producing animals.

(viii) AI network in India will be completely modernised with doubling of capacity for frozen semen production (66 million doses) and assured supply of liquid nitrogen.

(ix) Specific programmes will be undertaken to make available trained manpower to sustain the network.

(x) Use of quality bulls and semen will result in progressive genetic improvement in the bovine population.

(xi) Specific action to conserve animal genetic diversity among Indian cattle and buffalo breeds and promote breeders' organisations will be undertaken in most States.

(xii) Although direct benefits will accrue to participating breeders only and indirect benefits of breed improvement and higher productivity will percolate to resource-poor rural families at large.

Appendix - I

Elements of Expenditure and their phasing

(Rs in crores)

Sl. No.	Project Components	1997-2000 (Total 3 years)	2000-2001	2001-2002	Total (9^thPlan)
1.	Pre project Survey**	--	0.16	0.04	0.20
2.	Bulk transport, storage and distribution of liquid nitrogen	15.32	9.00	12.00	36.32
3.	Support to SIAs, Breeders' Associations, Gaushalas, Cooperatives, NGOs for field Recording, Progeny Testing, ONBS, etc.	7.58	3.00	16.00	26.58
4.	Acquisition of bulls for Natural Service.	--	2.00	16.00	18.00
5.	Strengthening of sperm stations Semen Banks, establishment of new semen Banks, acquisition of AI bulls, etc.	23.09	14.00	49.00	86.09
6.	Design of training modules & manuals and organisation of training of personnel on AI	1.61	1.00	3.00	5.61
7.	Strengthening of existing training centres	2.32	1.84	5.00	9.16
8.	Setting up new training centres.	1.57	1.50	3.00	6.07
9.	Setting up/conversion of AI centres for mobile practice	15.51	8.00	25.00	48.51
10.	Initial managerial grants to SIAs and grants linked to activities	--	2.50	1.50	4.00
11.	Central Project Management Unit	--	1.00	4.51	5.51
12.	Other (Strengthening of farms, procurement of semen & castrators, settlement of account etc)	5.51	--	--	5.51
	Total	70.95*	44.00	135.05	250.00 *

* * Activities relating to pre-project survey has been initiated in ten states (Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh) with limited Swiss assistance available up to middle of 1998-99.

* Unspent balance of Rs 1.56 crore adjusted in sanctions issued during 1999-2000.

Appendix - II

Elements of physical activities and their phasing

Sl. No.	Project Components	1997-2000 (Total 3 years)	2000- 2001	2001- 2002	Total (9^th Plan) @
1.	Pre project survey	10	8	7	25(25)
2.	Liquid Nitrogen bulk transport storage and distribution
	a) Sperm stations	14	8	24	46(63)
	b) Semen Banks	14	20	12	46(252)
	c) Bulk transport system	5	3	2	10(10)
3.	Support to SIAs, Breeders' Associations, Gaushalas, Cooperatives, NGOs, etc. for
	a) field recording	1	5	5	11(15)
	b) progeny testing *	5	7	12	12(12)
	c) ONBS etc.	1	1	3	5(10)
4.	Acquisition of bulls for Natural Services	--	500	10000	10500(70000)
5.	a) Strengthening of sperm stations	32	16	15	63(63)
	b) Strengthening of Semen Banks	61	35	40	136(140)
	c) New Semen Banks	7	8	25	40(112)
	d) Acquisition of AI bulls	486	300	1000	1786(4000)
6.	Designing Training Modules, Training Manuals and organising training of
	a) Existing AI Workers	1970	1200	3500	6600(32000)
	b) New AI Workers	1632	1000	3000	5632(14845)
	c) Professionals	170	100	400	670(1000)
7.	Strengthening of Existing training facilities for
	a) AI Workers	7	12	21	40(40)
	b) Professionals	--	1	1	2(3)
8.	New training facilities for
	a) AI Workers	17	10	10	37(60)
	b) Professionals	--	1	1	2(3)
9.	Conversion/ setting up of AI centres to enable mobile practice
	a) Government centres	9796	5204	10000	25000(25700)
	b) Cooperatives	--	--	800	800(2000)
	c) NGO/VO	--	200	500	700(1300)
	d) Private	525	500	500	1525(14000)
10.	Initial Managerial Grants to SIAs and grants linked to activities	--	7	5	12(15)
11.	Central Project Management Unit	--	1	--	1(1)

@ Figures in parenthesis indicate activity targets in the context of a Plan outlay of Rs 402.00 crore.

* Progressive numbers and not annual numbers.

CHAPTER - 2

GUIDELINES FOR IMPLEMENTATION

The scheme NPCBB is meant to be flexible and not restrictive in nature so that each State / UT is able to participate and formulate a proposal suited to local situations. States and UTs participating in the Project will receive assistance in the form of 100% grant-in -aid. Implementation of the scheme would entail on the states decisions on a number of policy issues , a closer study of the cattle and buffalo breeding situation in the states, identification of major players and developing synergies among them etc. Each state would, therefore, go through a critical phase of appraisal and preparation before implementing the scheme and a major thrust is required to ensure that this phase takes as minimum time as possible so that the scheme is launched without much delay.

Breeding policy for cattle and buffaloes and attention to indigenous breeds.

Massive expansion of breeding network envisaged under NPCBB would yield the desired results only if the same is implemented in the states with a clear-cut breeding policy and definite action plan to operationalise the policy.

The policy may be dynamic and consider inter-alia demand of milk, requirement of draught animal power for agricultural and transportation purposes, need to conserve breeds and breeding tracts, farming systems, production environments and availability of inputs as well as marketing channels. If such a policy does not exist, the same has to be evolved and followed consistently for a reasonable period, say twenty years, after which the policy may be reviewed.

The action plan may include study of areas not covered under AI with a view to obtain a clear picture of natural mating systems so that a programme of phasing out inferior quality bulls can be taken up by castration of scrub bulls and their replacement with good quality bulls of a suitable breed or increasing acceptance of AI. An effort may have to be made to propagate the advantages of AI among the farmers.

The action plan will also have to address the issue of sourcing quality bulls of each category/genetic make-up, and identify either breeding tracts or breeding farms from where such bulls can be obtained. Simultaneously programmes are to be taken up for production of quality bulls. Dependence on import of exotic bulls/cows will have to be gradually reduced for a variety of reasons, the threat of introducing Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy and other diseases being one of them.

The National Project now formulated will comprehensively deal with the problem and insist on:

(i) operationalisation of breeding policy with focus on improvement of indigenous breeds through programmes in consonance with the policy,

(ii) Carefully chalking out targeted coverage of breedable female bovines and demand-supply projections for bulls/semen with the above mentioned considerations

(iii) identification of good quality breeding bulls of indigenous breeds through field performance recording programmes and their distribution in breeding tracts,

(iv) promotion of breeders' organisations so that major part of development programmes for indigenous breeds can be entrusted to them,

(v) adoption of specific programme for improvement of specialised draught breeds like Amritmahal, Nagore, Khillari etc.

Institutional set up for implementation (Autonomous State Implementing Agencies):

It is generally agreed that the present AI network and breeding farms, predominantly under Government set up, suffer from institutional deficiencies and lack dynamism, professionalism and autonomy. Therefore, there is need to bring the farms, semen stations, liquid nitrogen installations, frozen semen banks/depots etc. out of the direct control of the Government and place them under a suitable autonomous/semi-autonomous state level organization. This may be achieved either by nominating an existing corporation or similar agency as State Implementing Agency (SIA) and amending its bye laws to suit the mandate of implementing NPCBB. If no such agency exists a new State Level Autonomous body may be set up. Care may be taken to ensure that a sick organization with liabilities is not nominated for this purpose.

The SIA may take over the assets available in the form of bull mother farms, sperm stations, semen banks/depots, liquid nitrogen plants/installations, training centers etc. in the Directorate of Animal Husbandry either by transfer or through a suitable lease agreement. The SIA will receive the project grants directly from the Project Headquarters and channelise them to other participating agencies including Directorate of Animal Husbandry and State Agricultural/Veterinary University/ICAR Institutes, etc., either in cash or in kind. Developing synergies among major players in the state will be the responsibility of SIA. SIA will maintain only a core staff component for the project activities and constitute permanent as well as ad-hoc technical committees to provide it the necessary technical advice/input. It will charge for the goods and services provided by it to remain economically viable. The goods and services provided by SIA in turn would conform to the breeding policy and requirement of the State.

A time-frame for transfer of assets etc. to SIA will have to be indicated in the proposal. There is also need to frame Memoranda of Understanding among various agencies involved e.g. the State Government, the SIA, milk unions, gaushalas, private AI practitioners, NGOs.

In the UTs and some smaller States, particularly in the North-East, feasibility and relevance of an SIA at this stage may not exist. Possibilities of creating common facilities under the umbrella of North-eastern Council or Central Agricultural University may, however, be considered jointly by the North-eastern States. Such states may clearly indicate their view in the matter while sending proposals.

Salient Features of Memorandum of Understanding among different agencies

I. CPMU and State Implementing Agency (SIA) :

1. The SIA will have a nominee of CPMU in its Governing Body.

2. The CPMU will channalize project funds for the state (for all participating agencies) through the SIA after the same is designated by the state Government. (Till that time direct assistance to states will be provided by the CPMU for modest expansion of field AI networks, replacement of bulls for natural service, limited strengthening of sperm stations and farms and computerized monitoring systems.)

3. One SIA from each region (four in all) will have representation in Project Steering Committee.

4. The SIA will implement the project in conformity with approved scheme and the state subproject as well as action plan approved by CPMU.

5. The SIA will follow all quality norms and standards for bull, semen, semen/ET laboratories etc. as laid down by CPMU and seek approval of CPMU for all matters concerning selection and culling of bulls, strengthening and relocation of sperm stations/ET Centres.

6. SIA will keep the CPMU informed of steps taken on all major

purchases/procurement.

II. The SIA and the State Government :

1. The State Government will designate the SIA as the principal implementing agency of the project in the state and provide it similar autonomy of functioning as provided to public sector corporations/ exclusively state funded registered societies.

2. The State Government will transfer the sperm stations, semen banks, LN2 plants and one or two selected farms operating under the Directorate of Animal Husbandry to the SIA.

3. The SIA will produce/arrange bulls and semen in conformity with breeding policy adopted by the state Government for cattle and buffalo.

4. The State Government will convert all stationary Government AI Centres to mobile practices and will permit Government inseminators to practice doorstep AI and charge a fee for the service.

5. The State Government will make appropriate arrangement for training of private AI practitioners and their deployment for doorstep services.

6. The State Government will provide adequate budget provisions to the State Department of Animal Husbandry to enable them pay the price of semen and liquid nitrogen supplied to the Departmental AI Centre.

III. The SIA and Non-Government Participating Agencies :

1. The Non-Government agency will co-opt a nominee of SIA in its Governing Body.

2. Assets created with grants from SIA will remain its property.

3. Incremental produce arising out of SIA sponsored programmes will be shared between SIA and Participating Agency.

Personnel Policy and Human Resource Development:

The States will be required to undertake a thorough assessment of the technical manpower so as to enable positioning of appropriate persons at key posts at sperm-stations, farms, breeding projects etc. It is to be ensured that appropriately qualified/trained persons are posted in such positions and given a reasonable tenure.

Government AI functionaries presently performing AI from stationary AI centers will have to be given freedom to doorstep AI practice beyond usual duty hours to improve area and population under coverage of such centers The training and retraining needs of professionals and AI workers should receive continued and focussed attention, and strengthening or establishment of training institutes will have to be taken up on the basis of training requirements.

Supplementation of fund-flow from sources other than NPCBB

It is also expected that after expansion of the breeding network with central assistance the states will have to augment fund flow from their side towards recurring costs of maintaining and operating the expanded network.

Augmenting fund flow through bilateral / multilateral projects having livestock component as well as multidisciplinary schemes of Ministry of Rural Development, Department of Agriculture & Cooperation, Department of Women & Child Development, Department of Biotechnology etc. will have to be attempted. This aspect is to be kept in view while formulating the proposals.

Creation of a District level implementation committee under the Chairmanship of the Collector may further facilitate such purposes by way of drawing up concrete district plans under such schemes.

Institutionalising mechanisms for review and monitoring :

A high level review committee at the state level should be set up to review progress of technical, physical and financial parameters quarterly and remove bottlenecks quickly, particularly with respect to sperm-stations, farms and AI centers. The activity components proposed to be taken up under the state sub-project should have quantifiable targets and a time frame so that progress can be monitored periodically.

It will be necessary to develop a Management Information System (MIS) and install computers in key positions to facilitate close monitoring. The review committee may also keep a close watch on the activities to avoid duplication and develop synergies among players.

An effective mechanism has to be evolved to reduce the gestation period of breeding projects to the barest minimum. Streamlining procurement / purchase procedures to cut down delay in initiating the programmes will have to be given priority. A similar approach will be necessary on construction activities required for project implementation.

Annual Report of progress in prescribed format may be published by the SIA and circulated to all concerned and the same may be discussed in Annual Workshop involving participating agencies and experts.

Over and above these state level monitoring mechanism, there will be a two - tier monitoring mechanism in the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying at the level of a Steering Committee and the Central Project Management Unit (CPMU).

Cost recovery of inputs & services and budgetary support to departmental field AI network

The SIA mechanism suggested earlier will be crucial to success of the project. To ensure sustainability and viability of SIA it will be necessary to adopt a policy of recovering cost of inputs and services provided by the SIA from the beneficiary farmers. The Departmental field AI network will, in most cases, be the largest bulk customer of the SIA. They will have to purchase semen, liquid nitrogen etc. but deposit the receipts accrued through breeding services to appropriate Government Account. Therefore, adequate budgetary provision commensurate with scale of field AI operation is to be made by the Department.

Measures to ensure quality of goods and services

The State Governments will be required to pay special attention to quality of goods and services required for breeding cattle and buffalo and devise a system in consultation with involved agencies towards formulation of standards for the same. The measures initiated should cover live animals (cows and bulls), equipment, consumables / reagents, semen, embryo etc. The standards / specifications thus formulated will apply both to procurement and supply.

Activity components that may be funded

(State Governments are requested to provide year-wise break up of physical targets and financial requirements. After the project grants are received, inter-component re-allocation of expenditure and revision of targets may be made only with prior concurrence of The Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying ).

(a) Institutional Restructuring

(i) Nomination / Incorporation / Creation of SIA

(Managerial grant for three years limited to

an annual ceiling of Rs 30.00 lakh)

(ii) Computerization / MIS

(iii) Studies / Surveys

(b) Manpower Development

(i) Strengthening of training infrastructure

(ii) Training costs of professionals and AI workers

(iii) Farmers' camp/campaign/orientation

(iv) Seminar/workshop

(v) Tapering grant/stipend to private AI workers

(c) Strengthening of frozen semen network

(i) Strengthening of sperm stations

(ii) Strengthening of FS Bank/Depot

(iii) Liquid nitrogen bulk storage and supply

(iv) Strengthening/expansion of field AI network

(d) Breed improvement / Bull production

(i) Strengthening of farms/ET Centres

Assistance to other participating agencies

(Milk Unions/Gaushala / NGO /Breeders' Associations, etc.)

(ii) Breed improvement programmes for buffalo, crossbred &

indigenous cattle :

(Field recording / Progeny Testing / procurement /

distribution of bulls / mass castration etc.)

(e) Miscellaneous (Minor activities not covered above)

Pre-project survey, project preparation and submission of proposal

A situation analysis concerning past programmes (State Plan, Centrally Sponsored, Bilateral/Multilateral), role and capabilities of different players and their area of operation etc. will have to be undertaken to understand existing weaknesses and avoid duplication of activities.

The State sub-projects of NPCBB should strive at optimal resource utilisation and hence discourage avoidable expenditure / creation of additional infrastructure. Special attention is to be paid to re-commissioning idle / damaged but repairable equipment wherever possible and proposal for fresh procurement be made only after making a realistic assessment of the need.

The states would, therefore, be required to articulate their views on the issues mentioned above and formulate a single comprehensive proposal for the respective state covering the requirement of all major players involved in cattle and buffalo breeding. A detailed pre-project survey enabling objective assessment of the impact of NPCBB on cattle and buffalo breeding scenario in the state will precede project preparation. Five copies of the proposal may be submitted to Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Ministry of Agriculture.

CHAPTER - 3

STATE IMPLEMENTING AGENCIES (SIAs)

Justification for SIA

1. Implementation of cattle and buffalo breeding programmes through a State Implementing Agency (SIA) outside the Government Department is felt necessary because of following reasons:

(a) Production, management and distribution of breeding inputs as well as chalking out breeding activities require professional skill and continuity of direction. Inter-transferability in the government set up creates problem in this regard. Nor it is possible to provide adequate functional autonomy in the field formations in a government set up though the same is essential for taking timely and prompt actions.

(b) Assistance provided to a number of states under Centrally Sponsored Schemes on Cattle and Buffalo Breeding often did not reach the user agency in time, as a result of which envisaged targets could not be achieved. To compound the problem, the revenue earning units in Government set-up have to deposit the receipts to the state exchequer and depend solely on budgetary support which, more often than not, depends on the ways and means position of the state regardless of revenue earning potential of the unit.

(c) Substantial investment is required not only to create infrastructure for production/distribution of quality breeding inputs but also to maintain the infrastructure in optimal functional condition. Goods and services provided by these infrastructures can create sufficient revenue to meet the recurring expenses if cost recovery and recycling of receipts are allowed. These are intimately linked to the sustenance of the breeding operations but become difficult to achieve if the agency engaged in production of breeding input is in the government set up.

(d) Entrusting the entire gamut of activities relating to production of breeding inputs to a specialized professional semi-autonomous agency in major cattle and buffalo rearing States will foster healthy competition among various SIAs which will enhance the quality of goods and services.

(e) The SIA concept emerged as a viable alternative through deliberations of Expert Groups and workshops involving all major stake holders.

2. The Department of Animal Husbandry in the States is the most predominant player in the area of production, distribution and supply of breeding inputs and services, and any measure towards reform would logically start from the Departmental organisations directly under the control of the Government.

3. The EFC while approving the National Project for Cattle and Buffalo Breeding and its implementation through SIAs observed that efforts may be made to avoid creation of new organizations. Wherever possible an existing autonomous/ semi autonomous organization engaged in similar activities is to be entrusted the responsibilities. It is, however, to be kept in view that an existing sick organization with liabilities is not nominated as SIA for implementing NPCBB. Where there is no scope of designating an existing organization as SIA even with suitable modification in its bye-laws and mandate, creation of a new organization will be considered.

Structure of SIA

4. The Animal Husbandry Department in the State will be the nodal Department for the SIA. The SIA will take over from the State Department of Animal Husbandry all Sperm Stations, Frozen Semen Banks/Depots, Liquid Nitrogen Plants, Large capacity storage and transport facilities for Liquid Nitrogen and a few selected cattle/buffalo farms necessary for production of breeding inputs. Unless volunteered by extra- departmental agencies, similar infrastructure owned by them may not be transferred to the SIA to avoid conflicting organisational loyalties in the newly nominated/ created organisation in the initial years. This mechanism will also ensure autonomy of functioning in those units in the government set-up which required it most.

5. The Governing Body/Board of Directors of the SIA will have representative from all major players engaged in cattle and buffalo breeding activities in the State, the representation being commensurate with the stake/contribution of such organization in the cattle and buffalo breeding activities in the State. The SIA will also have in its Governing Body/ Board of Directors a representative of the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Ministry of Agriculture. The Secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry in the State will be the Chairman of SIA and an animal breeding /reproduction specialist will be recruited as the Chief Executive of the SIA.

Recruitment of manpower in SIA

6. The SIA Head quarters will be manned by a core group of professionals and limited supporting staff to maintain the establishment cost of SIA to the barest minimum. A similar approach will be adopted by the SIA while engaging personnel in its field units. Initially the personnel will be drawn from the State Department of Animal Husbandry. If suitable man power is not available, recruitment from extra- departmental sources may be considered to keep the SIA functioning. This will ensure that there is proportionate reduction of manpower in the department while ensuring availability of adequate qualified personnel in the SIA.

Mandate, Resources and MOU

7. The mandate of the SIA will be clearly defined by the State Government. Production of breeding inputs to run the programmes in conformity with the breeding policy of the State would be entrusted to the SIA.

8. One important mandate of the SIA will be to develop synergies among different players and associate them in the programmes. This will be necessary to avoid duplication of activities and to ensure optimum results out of the programmes supported under the NPCBB.

9. There will be Memorandum of Understanding between the SIA and other agencies participating in the programme. Central grants will be channelized by the project authorities in the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Ministry of Agriculture through the SIA. This mechanism appears to be essential to keep the cattle and buffalo breeding programmes supported under the NPCBB immune to the ways and means position of the State.

10. The SIA will charge for the goods and services provided by it and meet its establishment cost out of profit to remain financially viable. Initial managerial grants will, however, be available for a few years to allow the SIA to break even.

Conceptual inputs on technical matters

11. The SIA will constitute permanent as well as ad-hoc advisory committees to provide it the necessary scientific and technical input. Such advisory committees may have representation from various players in the State involved in the area of cattle and buffalo breeding.

Monitoring and Reporting

12. The SIA will develop in-house monitoring mechanism to assess impact of the programmes on a regular basis and report the same to the State Government and Project Authorities in the Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying. The SIA will also be responsible for reporting, through the State Government, utilisation of project grants channelised through it.

Existing SIAs

13. The state of Kerala had an autonomous body in the form of Kerala Livestock Development Board (KLDB) even before the concept of SIA was mooted under the NPCBB. During 9^th Plan period the states of Madhya Pradesh, Punjab and West Bengal identified an existing quasi-government body in the State as the principal implementing agency for centrally sponsored programmes on cattle and buffalo breeding, and the states of Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana created new organisatins in the line of SIA which are at various levels of functioning and development. Maharashtra has also initiated the process of creation of an SIA like body.

Bye-laws of SIA

14. While acceptance of the SIA mechanism by a number of major cattle and buffalo rearing states is encouraging, it is necessary to closely scrutinise the bye-laws and article of association of these organisations so that any modifications required in them, for the purpose of implementing NPCBB can be suggested to the respective states. Points mentioned at para 4 are particularly relevant because transfer of government assets is generally a complicated business and it will be prudent at this stage not to burden the SIA in its formative years with avoidable complications.

Five Year Income-Expenditure Profile of a

State Implementing Agency (SIA)

and Economic Viability

(Rs in crores)

Sl. No.	Income-Expenditure Sources	I	II	III	IV	V
A	Income
1	Sale of frozen semen(1-5 million doses)	1.00	1.50	2.00	3.00	5.00
2	Sale of liquid nitrogen (0.5-1.5 million. lits)	0.75	1.00	1.50	2.00	2.25
3	Sale of breeding stock from ONBS farms (50 bulls+50 cows)	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.75	0.75
4	Managerial grant for the project	0.50	0.30	0.20	0.00	0.00
5	Total Income	2.25	2.80	3.70	5.75	8.00
B	Expenditure
1	Cost of frozen semen(1-5 million doses)	0.90	1.34	1.65	2.70	4.50
2	Cost of liquid nitrogen(0.5-1.5 million lts)	0.70	0.80	1.30	1.87	2.10
3	Cost of breding stock from ONBS farms	0.35	0.35	0.40	0.50	0.50
4	Board's overheads	0.26	0.26	0.30	0.37	0.40
5	Total Expenditure	2.21	2.75	3.65	5.44	7.50
C	Surplus/Deficit	0.04	0.05	0.05	0.31	0.50

Note:

(i) Cost of semen and liquid nitrogen (Rs 9 per dose and Rs 14 per litre respectively, supplied to the inseminator) include production/procurement costs, storage and delivery costs as well as handling losses and the Board's overheads for supervision. The selling prices under income are MRP (Rs 10 per dose and Rs 15 per litre) including the Board's margins. The contributions exhibited are net surpluses.

(ii) Breeding stock produced under the ONBS are genetically evaluated animals (proven bulls and bull-mothers) and are therefore priced at rates applicable for the highest quality genetic material, Rs 1,00,000/- per bull and Rs 50,000/- for breeding female and are meant exclusively for institutions engaged in breeding and multiplication of seed stock and sperm stations producing frozen semen. The costs under the ONBS are the all-inclusive costs for the running of the breeding farm where ONBS/MOET are used to produce genetically evaluated stock.

(iii) The Board's over heads exhibited cover the salaries and housekeeping expenses of the Board Head Office.

(iv) The post 5th year income profile will be even more favourable to the Board as the activities of the Board under phase II of the project will boost the turnover of the Board and consequently its margins of surplus, enabling it to set apart a

depreciation fund to avoid obsolescence.

CHAPTER - 4

PRIVATE AI WORKERS

(TO BE INTRODUCED UNDER NPCBB)

Justification

1. There are 289 million cattle and buffalo in the country. Their average low productivity is a matter of concern. The fact that nearly 80 % of the cattle and 60 % of buffaloes do not belong to any defined breed makes a strong case for their genetic up-gradation on priority basis.

2. Government interventions so far towards delivery of breeding inputs was primarily through setting up of AI centers where the farmers had to bring their animals to receive the breeding inputs. Constrained delivery of government AI service provided from stationary AI Centres, and absence of coordinated direction and control over operations, resulted in low efficiency of AI services with an overall conception rate less than 20 %. Experience shows that mobile outlets perform far larger number of inseminations than stationary centers with better conception rates.

3. Despite building up a substantial infrastructure for cattle and buffalo breeding in the form of 63 sperm stations, nearly 40000 AI Outlets performing about 22 million inseminations annually and over 200 cattle and buffalo breeding farms, a major chunk of which is in Government sector, proportion of breedable bovines under coverage of artificial insemination is around 20% only. This calls for measures to increase both the number of outlets and the coverage per AI outlet to send the breeding inputs to the farmer's doorstep

4. Studies and surveys, cutting across regions and states, highlighted that stationary Government AI center being solely dependant upon Government towards supply of liquid nitrogen and semen doses frequently suffer breakdown because of budgetary constraints on recurring expenditure leading to loss of credibility of AI network in the eyes of farmers.

Stipulations under NPCBB

5. The proposed 9^th Plan Centrally Sponsored Scheme National Project for Cattle and Buffalo Breeding has the following major objectives

(a) to arrange delivery of vastly improved artificial insemination service at the farmers doorstep;

(b) to progressively bring under organized breeding all breedable females among cattle and buffalo through artificial insemination or natural service by high quality bulls, within a period of 10 years;

(c) to undertake breed improvement programme for indigenous cattle and buffalo breeds so as to improve their genetic qualities as well as their availability; and

(d) to provide quality breeding inputs in breeding tracts of important indigenous breeds so as to prevent the breeds from deterioration and extinction.

6. Around 79 million breedable bovines targetted to be covered under the project, which are 74% of total adult female population of 107 million .Out of 79 million females to be covered , 45 million (57% ) will be covered through AI and 34 million ( 43% ) will be covered through natural service.

Strategies

7. Promotion of private mobile AI service for doorstep delivery of AI, and conversion of existing stationery government centres into mobile centres are part of the strategies for achievement of the above mentioned objectives.

8. In view of the fact that a little over 37,000 stationary centers and a little less than 3,000 mobile AI workers are already available, it will be necessary to introduce about 14,000 additional mobile AI workers, even after conversion of the existing stationary centers to mobile, to achieve the intended coverage.

9. A number of studies and surveys, cutting across regions and states, highlighted that farmers are willing to pay for AI if the quality of goods and services are adequate and conception is ensured within a reasonable period of time. This willingness on the part of the farmer is proposed to be transformed to a mechanism of cost recovery for quality services so that private initiatives in field AI network can be sustained.

Alternatives

10. In this backdrop introduction of private AI workers appear to be the only feasible solution consistent with the objective and time frame of NPCBB. Needless to say that the entire AI network will have to follow quality standards for the desired results and skill up-gradation of workers at all levels will be achieved through a coordinated human resource development programme.

Selection , Training and Modalities of Implementation

11. 14,000 AI workers to be inducted during Ist Phase of the project will be chosen from unemployed rural youth so as to generate employment and avoid addition of establishment cost for the Government Department. These workers will be chosen from the local area as they know the area and utility of the timely AI service. They will also be able to supplement their income without leaving their native place. Artificial Insemination is a skilled zoo-technique and requires minimum academic standards. It will not be proper to fix the minimum qualification for this below 10^th class and it may not be necessary to look for higher qualification beyond 10+2. Between these two qualifications the States will be given flexibility to select the AI workers. Minimum age for AI workers may fixed at 18 years.

12. A private AI worker will be required to (i) understand the basic reproductive process in females bovine and (ii) to distinguish pathological conditions from normal conditions, condition of the cervix and upper parts of the uterine horns during pregnancy and (iii) identify animals in heat. Therefore, they are to be given both theoretical and practical training to equip themselves to perform AI. The practical training should include passing AI gun on morbid genitalia as well as live animals. To achieve the desired skill , training period of less than three months will be grossly inadequate and more than six months would not be required. It will be better if they are given training at a place not far off from their residence.

Incentive Packages

13. The AI workers will be offered training as well as cryogenic containers and the AI kit on completion of training. It will be necessary for them to procure either a motor bike or a moped on loan so that they can carry out mobile AI practice. A suitable Memorandum of Understanding /agreement is to be made with the private AI worker to ensure that the investment made in training and equipping them does not go waste and recoveries can be made from the defaulters.

14. It may also be necessary to provide stipend during training and a tapering grant during initial practice period. The requirement for such incentive packages will vary from state to state and even among areas within a state and will primarily depend on acceptability and scope of AI. The concept of mobile AI workers has already been put to practice in various States who have generally tapped extra-departmental funds available from multidisciplinary rural development projects. The NPCBB will encourage similar augmentation of fund flow.

15. The incentive packages, minimum qualifications, training period etc., will also vary from place to place. There is need to develop a more or less standardized training programme for the private AI workers so that same degree of result can be expected through out the country. It will be prudent to leave the exact incentive package to the States giving them a broad framework. For areas with well established AI network, minimum incentive package (training, cryogenic container and AI kit) will be the norm.

Monitoring and Control

16. The private AI workers inducted in locations will have to be registered and brought under the control of the District Animal Husbandry Officer who will monitor performance of the AI worker, ensure maintenance of breeding records and recommend further re-training of the worker if the skills attained are not adequate.

Anticipated objections and clarifications thereof

17. Reservations have been expressed in some quarters about desirability of inducting large number of private AI Practitioners and risk of damage to genitalia or spread of infection / infertility. Most of these reservations are unfounded in the context of NPCBB because the scheme will not only insist on standardized training for these AI workers ,it will have in-built monitoring mechanism for their performance by qualified departmental staff.

18. Throughout the world artificial insemination is done by auxiliary staff trained for that purpose with much higher conception rate than the average conception rate of AI workers, government or otherwise, in India. There is no other way of meeting the requirement of wider coverage under AI.

19. It is also relevant to mention that practice of artificial insemination by private AI worker is in existence in India for almost 25 years. Many of the Operation Flood Cooperatives initiated A.I. in their areas by training workers for a duration lesser than one month. A few prominent Non-government Organizations have also trained substantial number of Private AI workers as part of rural development efforts. Some of the States have very enthusiastically gone ahead with training local villagers in artificial insemination under various programmes like Gopal Yojana in Rajasthan. A number of World Bank assisted projects in various States also have provision for providing AI service through Paravets.

20. Therefore, induction of Private AI workers under NPCBB is not an altogether novel approach but a rational synthesis of opportunities to meet the requirements of the country in a time-frame.

21. Under the IVC Act artificial insemination is not defined as a veterinary service, nor specifically mentioned as a minor veterinary service. As mentioned above, workers without veterinary qualifications deliver this service throughout the World. There would, therefore, be no objection to treat AI as a Minor Veterinary Service under the Act to be performed under the supervision/guidance of a qualified Veterinarian. Declaring it so officially through a notification in the Gazette is the prerogative of a State Department of Animal Husbandry. The NPCBB will strive to achieve this so that private AI workers can be registered and monitored.

22. A cost benefit analysis of the private AI workers with minimum incentive package is enclosed. Monthly income with no incentive and a moped for mobility comes to a little over Rs 2300/-while that with incentive package and a motorbike for mobility monthly income is estimated at over Rs 6200/-.

Income-Expenditure Profile and Viability of Private AI Practice

Sl. No.	Investment Details	Costs (Rs.)	Sl. No.	Income-expenditure Profile	Costs (Rs.)
	Equipment		A	Practice with Motor Bike Annual Income
1.	3 lit. LN₂Container-I	6000.00	1	Service Fee for 3000 AI/year	180000.00
2.	35 lit. LN₂ Container-I	18000.00
3.	AI Kit	2000.00		Annual Expenditure
4.	Telephone Connection	5000.00	1	Loan and Interest Repayment	37340.00
			2	Cost of Semen & LN2	75000.00
	Mobility		3	Propulsion charges	12000.00
			4	Vehicle Maintenance	1000.00
5.	Motor Bike	50000.00		Total Annual Expenditure.	125340.00
6.	Moped	12000.00
				Net Income(Living Income) Without Assistance Package	54460.00
	Total Investments			with Assistance Package	75460.00
A.	Practice with Motor Bike	81000.00
B.	Practice with Moped	43000.00	B	Practice with Moped
				Annual Income
			I	Service Fee for 1500 AI/year	90000.00
				Annual Expenditure
			1	Loan and Interest Repayment	19600.00
			2	Cost of Semen and LN2	37500.00
			3	Propulsion Charges	3500.00
			4	Vehicle Maintenance	500.00
				Total Annual Expenditure	61100.00
				Net Income(Living Income) Without Assistance Package	28900.00
				With Assistance Package	49700.00

Notes :

1. Service Fee for door-step delivery of AI reckoned at Rs.60.00/AI

2. Three Year Term Loans / Lease Finance with 13.50 % interest and repayment in 36 installments.

3. Assistance Package comprising the Equipment as a one time grant (less 20 per cent Beneficiary's contribution).

4. Since stationary A.I. centres will continue to provide services and natural service system will be revamped, poor farmers are unlikely to be at a disadvantage because of promotion of private A.I. workers.

5. Better and more liberal Assistance Packages exist in some of the States

CHAPTER - 5

ILLUSTRATIVE FORMAT FOR SUBMITTING PROPOSALS

A. General

1. (a) Eighth Plan target & allocation and expenditure & achievements on schemes relating to cattle and buffalo breeding.

(b) Ninth Plan Allocations in State Plan on Cattle and buffalo breeding projects and allocations and expenditures for 1997-98,1998-99 and 1999-2000.

2. Institutional mechanism, if any, for review of progress (Management/Monitoring Committee).

3. Brief account of participation in Centrally Sponsored Projects and achievements thereof.

4. Brief account of participation in bilateral / multilateral projects and achievements thereof.

5. Role of major players in cattle and buffalo breeding

a) State DAH

b) Cooperative Dairy Federation/ NGO/Breed Society/Gaushala

d) University/ICAR Institute/KVK, etc.

e) Corporation/autonomous bodies.

f) Bilateral / Multilateral Aid Agencies

g) Others

6. Composition of cattle and buffalo population

(estimates to be provided district-wise in the format given in Annexure- I)

7. Importance of cattle and buffalo in the state with special reference to indigenous breeds and Breeding Policy for them (Copy of notification to be enclosed).

8. Breeding programmes ,their area of operation, objectives and output, preferably with a location map of the project area.

9. Map showing important infrastructure/institutions with distance from District Head quarters.

10. Production environment and District-wise profile of farmers (Annexure- II)

11. Details of rate-contract with manufacturers / suppliers of equipment /

Consumables (item-wise) required for breeding activities and tenure of its validity.

B. Information on Present Infrastructure

I. Delivery network for breeding inputs (Annexure - III)

II. Important Breeding Infrastructures and their location (Installed Capacity & Capacity Utilization to be

indicated wherever applicable)

1. Frozen Semen Bull (Sperm) Stations (Govt./ Coop./ NGO/ Private)

(Questionnaire attached)

2. F.S. Banks / Depots

3. LN₂ Plants

4. Bulk Supply tankers for LN2/Industrial gas transporters

5. Industrial gas manufacturer/Fertilizer plant/ Steel plant

6. Training facilities

7. Farms/Goushalas (Breed, strength of breedable females, farm standard, functional parameters). (Questionnaire attached).

9. Breeding tracts of indigenous breeds (Distt./Taluka etc. breed-wise) and estimated population of breeds.

10. Milk Union / Federation (by no. of DCS / members)

11. No. of chilling plants and their capacity

12. Performance recording network, No. of recording centers, and No. of Animals under record

III. Other related Institutions

(Vety. dispensary, hospital, polyclinic, diagnostic & pathological lab. etc.)

C. Functional

1. No. of AI done, semen produced, semen purchased ( breed/genetic group-wise)

[Indigenous, Crossbred, Exotic, Buffalo ]

2. LN₂ consumed, produced and purchased.

3. Quality of bulls used for semen production, mode of selection

4. Categorization of AI Centres as per No. of AI per year

5. Conception rate and the basis of calculating the same

6. Milk production

7. Processing facilities

8. Field recording network , their area of operation and productivity of the recorded animals

9. Schemes on calf rearing, fodder production and their area of operation

10. No. of vaccinations (disease-wise).

11. Mechanism for TB./JD./brucellosis /IBR detection

12. No. of abortions and birth defects reported

D. General economic parameters

1. Cost of feed and fodder

2. General fodder situation, with reference to areas with adequate availability and deficit areas

3. Areas with endemic deficiency of minerals and micro/nutrients

4. Cost of live animals, both male and female, adults and calves

5. Price of milk

6. Service charges for natural service/AI

E. Demand and supply of bulls and semen (Annexure - IV)

F. Targetted coverage of bovine females, production of bulls and semen

(Annexure - V)

G. Activity components that may be funded

(State Government should provide year-wise break up

of physical targets and financial requirements)

(a) Institutional restructuring

(i) Nomination / Incorporation / Creation of SIA

(ii) (Managerial grant for three years limited to an annual ceiling of Rs 30.00 lakh)

(iii) Computerization / MIS

(iv) Studies / Surveys

(b) Manpower development

(i) Strengthening of training infrastructure

(ii) Training costs of professionals and AI workers

(iii) Farmers' camp/campaign/orientation

(iv) Seminar/workshop

(v) Tapering grant to private AI workers

(c) Strengthening of frozen semen network

(i) Strengthening of sperm stations

(ii) Strengthening of FS Bank/Depot

(iii) Liquid nitrogen bulk storage and supply

(iv) Strengthening/expansion of field AI network

(d) Breed improvement / bull production

(i) Strengthening of farms/ET centres

(ii) Assistance to other participating agencies

(iii) (Milk Unions/Gaushala / NGO /Breeders' Associations, etc.)

(iv) Breed improvement programmes for Buff.,C.B. & Indg.cattle

(v) (Field recording / progeny testing / procurement / distribution of bulls etc.)

(e) Miscellaneous

H. Explanatory note justifying the activity components & cost estimates and

indicating benefits of the proposed state project with reference to items 1 to 13

at G above :

I. Salient Features of Memorandum of Understanding among different agencies

J. Estimated investment out of assistance proposed to be used for benefit of

S.C. / S.T. and no. of such beneficiaries, preferably district-wise :

K. Additional comments relevant to the proposal :

Questionnaire on Frozen Semen Bull (Sperm) Stations

(To be provided for each station separately)

A. General

1. Location and exact postal address with

PIN Code and telephone No.

2. Year of Establishment and brief

history (i.e established with Central

assistance/as an Externally Assisted

Project/a project under ICAR-SAU)

3. Designation of Officer in charge

and his academic qualification/

specialization

4.Envisaged annual capacity,targets &

current production:

Capacity Target Achievement

(a) No.of bulls

(b) No. of doses

(in lakhs)

5. Present stock of F.S. doses (breed-wise)

6. Whether manual filling or

automatic filling

7.(a) Type of straws used

(German or medium/mini French)

(b) Manufacturer of straws used

are procured

8. Composition of diluter

9. Major clients

(State DAH & Coop./other states/NGO/Private)

10. Sale price of semen/dose

11. Production cost of semen/ dose

12. Freezing protocol

13. Source of bulls

14. Criteria for selection of bulls

(Pedigree records, andrological examination,

karyotyping, disease testing etc.)

15. Protocol for andrological examination/disease testing

of bulls and microbial test of semen.

16. Field feed back mechanism to obtain bull-wise

conception rate, sex ratio, abortion, birth defect etc.

17. Staff strength

a) Veterinary

b) Others

18. Mode of disposal of bulls

B. Infrastructure

1. Housing for bulls

i) No. of bull sheds

ii) Total housing capacity

(No. of bulls and followers)

2. Fodder cultivation

i) Area under cultivation (ha.)

a) Irrigated

b) Unirrigated

ii) Total annual fodder production

(green/dry in metric tonnes)

3. Annual purchase of fodder

(green/dry in metric tonnes)

4. Lab space (sq.ft.) and lab design

(enclose lay out)

5. Liquid nitrogen supply

i) Make and capacity of plant

ii) Year of installation

iii) Hours run since installation

iii) Current production/hour

iv) Whether annual maintenance contract exists

v) If not, how repairs are effected

6. LN₂ refrigerators/containers (size & No.)

7. Equipment

i) Printing machine

ii) Filling & sealing machine

iii) Photometer

iv) Phase contrast microscope

v) Laminar flow unit

vi) Cold handling cabinet

vii) Semen analyzer

viii) Biological freezer

ix) Equipment for sterilization of glass ware/

plastic consumables

x) Others

C. Bulls and semen (bull-wise)

1. Identification No.

2. Breed/genetic type

3. Date of birth

4. Source

5. Sire

6. Quality of sire

7. Dam

8. Quality of dam

9. Date of Procurement

10. Date of first collection

11. Average No. of collection/year

12. Average No. of semen doses/year

13. No. of doses in stock

14. Conception rate

15. Progeny performance

16. Sex ratio among progeny

D. Disposal of bulls (bull-wise, since inception)

1. Identification No.

2. Breed/genetic group

3. Date of birth

4. Date of procurement

5. Date of first collection

6. Date of last collection

7. Date of disposal/death

8. Tenure at the sperm station

9. Total No. of collections

10. Total No. of frozen semen doses

11. Reasons for disposal

i) Age

ii) Poor sperm quality

iii) Poor freezibility

iv) Lack of libido

v) Others

12. Mode of disposal

Questionnaire on Farms / Goshalas

(To be provided for each farm separately and

information on iv & v to be provided breed-wise)

(i) Location and exact postal address with

PIN Code and telephone No

(ii) Year of establishment and brief

history (i.e established with central

assistance/as an externally assisted

project/a project under ICAR-SAU)

(iii) Designation of Officer-in-charge

and his/her academic qualification/ specialization

(iv) Age group and sex-wise herd strength

(v) Age (order of lactation) and production (best lactation) profile of milch cows/buffaloes (to be presented in tabular form, splitting the range of production from the farm standard to the best production record of existing animals into three categories)

	Below farm-standard	Production range I	Production range II	Production range IIII	Total
I Lactation
II Lactation
III Lactation
IV Lactation
Above IV Lactation
Total

(vi) Farm-standard, breeding policy and general feeding and management practices

(vii) Disease testing calendar and protocol

(viii) Whether natural service allowed or AI practised exclusively

(ix) Annual culling rate, wet and herd averages of past five years

(x) Area under cultivation (irrigated and rainfed)

(xi) Equipment available for mechanised farming

(xii) Quantity of fodder procured annually from outside

(xiii) Mode of milking(manual/machine)

(xiv) Mode of disposal of milk

(xv) Off-take of male calves for breeding purposes (annual)

District		Cattle					Buffalo
District		Nondescript	Indigenous breeds *	Cross-bred	Exotic	Total	Nondescript	Descript breeds	Total
I.	a. Total male
	b. Total female
	c. Breedable female
II.	a.
	b.
	c.
III.	a.
	b.
	c.
IV.	a.
	b.
	c.

	For artificial insemination					For natural service
Semen (in million doses)	Exotic	C.B.	Ind.	Buff.	Total	Ind.	Buff.	Total
(a) Demand						--	--	--
(b) Supply						--	--	--
(c) Shortfall						--	--	--

Bulls (in Nos.)
(a) Demand
(b) Supply