Sri Vijaya Puram, Feb. 11: In a landmark achievement for Dairy development in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services (AH&VS), Andaman & Nicobar Administration, has initiated the Embryo Transfer Technology (ETT) Project, the first-ever implementation of this advanced reproductive technology in livestock in these islands. The project is funded by the Central Scheme—Rashtriya Gokul Mission. This pioneering initiative aims to rapidly upgrade the genetic quality of local cattle, significantly boost milk production, increase female calf ratio, and accelerate dairy self-reliance in the Union Territory.
The project is executed by the NDDB Dairy Services, which is a pioneer in the Technology in India. The first embryo transfers were performed on Feb. 10, marking the official launch of ETT operations in the islands. A dedicated project team has been constituted to implement and monitor the initiative, with Senior Veterinary Officers from respective jurisdictions to be included as the project progresses.
The Secretary (AH&VS), Ms. Pallavi Sarkar, IAS, witnessed the procedure of Embryo transfer, including recipient preparation and embryo implantation, at the Government Cattle Farm, Dollygunj, and wished the project success. She expressed confidence that this technological intervention will script a new beginning in the Dairy sector of these islands. The advantage of ETT is the birth of female calf having the genetic potential of high milk yield without any legacy of the recipient animal.
The first phase of the project will focus on selected clusters in South Andaman and recipients will be selected based on the reproductive ability and other established criteria of the animals. Owners of the selected recipients will enter into a MoU with the department and all necessary documentation and health evaluations will be taken up to minimize risks and ensure the best outcomes for ET calves.
The ETT project delivers transformative benefits: it enables rapid multiplication of high-yielding, genetically superior female calves, shortens the time required for breed improvement compared to conventional AI, increases milk yield potential, reduces unwanted male calf population, and strengthens dairy farming economics for island farmers. This initiative is part of the Department’s long-term vision to achieve self-sufficiency in milk production, improve nutritional security, and uplift rural and tribal livelihoods through modern reproductive technologies.
The Department is committed to scaling the project across more clusters and islands in the coming phases, to cover all major milk producing areas in the UT. All interested cattle owners are requested to contact their nearest Veterinary institution for more information on this scheme and are encouraged to come forward to gain from this initiative which aims to improve the milk production of these islands.