JK Trust announces India’s first batch of IVF buffalo calves that took birth on a large Buffalo Farm located near Rahu, Taluka – Daund, District –Pune. This first of its kind initiative was pioneered by JKBovagenix, an initiative of JK Trust, a leading NGO working in the field of animal husbandry and is currently implementing “Cattle and Buffalo Breed Improvement Programme” throughout the country.
These 5 IVF buffalo calves which were born from 4 buffaloes on Sonawane Buffalo Farm near Pune also has the first case of twin buffalo calves born through IVF in India. These calves are of Murrah breed which is one of the world’s most renowned buffalo breeds.
JK Trust, a social initiative of Raymond Group is successfully implementing various cattle breed initiatives that are in line with ‘Rashtriya Gokul Mission’. The organization has been producing calves from cows through IVF and now has found success in producing calves from buffalo by deploying Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART).
Commenting on this first of its kind achievement, Gautam Hari Singhania, Chairman & Managing Director, Raymond Group said; “I am delighted with the milestone achieved by JKBovegenix under the aegis of Raymond Group to produce buffalo calves through IVF. This is one of its kind initiative that upholds the potential to give a significant boost to our national dairy production. It is imperative that in today’s context we conserve our indigenous cattle and buffalo breeds, as the milk given by them contain higher nutritional value to fight diseases. Also, increasing the Indian dairy produce can usher in more growth at the grass-root level across Indian villages.”
During the last year and half JK Trust has been pivotal for establishing 94 IVF pregnancies from a Gir Donor cow ‘GAURI’ in a span of 16 months (from April 2019 to July 2020). Out of 94 IVF pregnancies, 64 are at JK Trust’s Farm and the rest 30 are at farmers’ doorsteps. Till now, 39 Calves are born and remaining calves are expected to be born in the current year. This latest initiative is supposed to be a breakthrough in cattle
reproduction, as a cow normally produces a maximum of only 8-10 calves in her entire lifespan. This initiative will pave the way for rapid multiplication of superior female animals at a much faster pace.
Commenting on the successful birth of buffalo calves through IVF for the first time in the country, Dr. Shyam Zawar, CEO- JK Trust said; “India has more than 109 million buffaloes that are 56% of the world’s buffalo population. India is also home to Murrah, one of the world’s most renowned buffalo breeds and using Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) in buffaloes can enable India to multiply the population of genetically superior buffaloes resulting in higher quantity milk yield. Though, In-vitro Fertilization (IVF) in buffaloes is comparatively difficult than cows, the latest Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) needs to be popularized and should be used in buffaloes.”
JKBovaGenix has been instrumental for first IVF calf in India from frozen IVF embryo (named as Krishna) on 9th January 2017. JKBovaGenix initiative was launched by JK Trust in the year 2016, to reinforce their commitment towards Cattle and Buffalo breed improvement program in India and hasten the pace of breed improvement.
After successful trials at their Cattle ET-IVF Lab located near Pune in Maharashtra, with a mission to bring this technology for the greater benefit of the Indian Farmers, the organisation established 4 Mobile ET-IVF Vans for the first time in India, which are reaching out to the farmer’s door steps. JKBovgenix’s IVF facilities and the Cattle Breeding farm located near Pune is approved and recognized by Ministry of Animal Husbandry, Government of India for imparting IVF training to officers of Embryo Transfer (ET) labs of various states of India.