Sri Vijaya Puram, Nov. 26: The Department of AH&VS, has highlighted the continuing success of the Accelerated Breed Improvement Programme using Sex-Sorted Semen (ABIP-SSS), launched in July, 2024 under the Rashtriya Gokul Mission. Since its inception, the Department has performed over four hundred sex-sorted semen inseminations across North & Middle Andaman, South Andaman and Nicobar districts, bringing advanced reproductive technology directly to the doorsteps of island farmers.
In the last six months alone, seventeen healthy female calves have been born under this programme in villages stretching from Diglipur to Campbell Bay. These seventeen births represent the most intensive and successful phase of the initiative so far, with many more pregnancies currently in progress.
The ABIP-SSS programme uses cutting-edge technology that separates X and Y chromosomes in semen, delivering up to ninety to ninety-three percent probability of female calf production. High-genetic-merit sex-sorted semen of Jersey × Gir cross, Jersey × Sahiwal cross, and 100% Jersey bulls is made available at a highly subsidised rate of only Rs.250 per dose (original cost Rs.675), with the department bearing the remaining amount. To further reduce risk for farmers, if conception does not occur in the first attempt, a second dose is provided at the same nominal rate. In case both attempts fail, the entire amount paid by the farmer for both doses are fully refunded. This farmer-friendly policy has greatly encouraged participation in the programme.
This technology offers island farmers multiple advantages: guaranteed female progeny for faster herd expansion, higher milk yields from genetically superior animals well-adapted to tropical island conditions, elimination of unwanted male calves, reduced rearing costs, and significantly improved income within three to four years when the calves start lactating.
Farmers who have received these valuable female calves express deep satisfaction and gratitude to the department for making such advanced technology accessible and affordable. The consistent success and the unique refund policy have generated tremendous enthusiasm and encouraged many more farmers to register their animals for the programme.
Shri. Krushna Mohan Beura, Manager (Animal Breeding), National Dairy Development Board, made a monitoring visit to the islands from Nov. 17 to 19, 2025. During the visit, three randomly selected Artificial Insemination Centres where calvings have been recorded under the project were inspected. Shri. Beura personally verified all animals with calving entries in the Bharat Pashudhan App along with the animals inseminated with sex-sorted semen, and expressed satisfaction over the proper implementation and authentic recording of field-level results.
The AH&VS Department is committed to further expanding the reach of ABIP-SSS through continuous awareness campaigns, advanced training of AI technicians, and uninterrupted supply of quality sex-sorted semen. The target remains to steadily increase the number of female calves born every month and create a strong foundation for long-term milk self-sufficiency across the islands.
The birth of seventeen female calves in just the last six months, duly verified at the national level, is a clear testimony to the effectiveness of the programme and the dedication of field teams. It marks a vital step towards transforming dairy farming, strengthening rural livelihoods, and building a prosperous, milk-sufficient future for the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
The Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services invites all dairy farmers to register their breedable cows at the nearest Veterinary Dispensary or Hospital and avail this revolutionary technology at a highly subsidised cost with full money-back assurance.