The first Badri calf was obtained by IVF

Specialists from the Karnal National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI) under ICAR, in collaboration with G B Pant University of Agriculture and Technology in Pantnagar, have successfully applied in vitro fertilization technology to produce offspring of the native Badri livestock. This was announced by the Ministry of Agriculture.

The birth of a healthy female calf took place on September 11 at the instructional dairy farm. The embryos were produced using ovum pick-up (OPU) and in vitro fertilization using semen from a Badri bull obtained through the Uttarakhand Livestock Development Board. The resulting embryo was transferred to a Sahiwal surrogate cow. Another birth of a Badri calf from a second surrogate mother is expected within the next 5–7 days.

The project has been implemented since 2023 with funding from the Uttarakhand Biotechnology Board. Scientists are also working on cloning high-productivity Badri cows, with plans at the next stage to transfer embryos obtained via IVF and cloning methods to various surrogate cows.

NDRI Director Dheer Singh noted that advanced reproductive technologies facilitate the faster reproduction of elite female germplasm and lay the foundation for large-scale breed improvement programs. The need to preserve and multiply the livestock population is due to the fact that small and hardy Badri livestock animals, which are the state livestock animal of Uttarakhand, are facing pressure from crossbreeding and herd reductions across India.