ICAR-CSWRI Launches ‘Avi MAIL’ Mobile AI Lab to Enhance Sheep Breeding for Farmers

ICAR-Central Sheep and Wool Research Institute (ICAR-CSWRI), Avikanagar, has launched the Mobile Artificial Insemination Laboratory for sheep, named Avi MAIL. This state-of-the-art facility is designed to transform breeding practices by delivering estrus synchronization and artificial insemination (AI) services directly to farmers’ doorsteps, addressing long-standing challenges in the sheep industry.

Artificial insemination in sheep has traditionally been underutilized, hindered by the complexities of the ewe’s cervical canal and the narrow 8-10 hour viability window for liquid chilled semen. Avi MAIL effectively overcomes these barriers, offering farmers access to advanced reproductive technologies that have long remained out of reach. This mobile lab ensures the hygienic collection, evaluation, and processing of semen from elite rams within a sterilized environment. Beyond its core function, Avi MAIL also provides awareness and health camps for farmers, contributing to better livestock management. The facility is versatile, designed to cater to other livestock like goats, pigs, and horses, broadening its potential impact.

Dr. Arun Tomar, Director of ICAR-CSWRI, highlighted the transformative impact of Avi MAIL, particularly in remote and nomadic regions where conventional AI methods have fallen short. By facilitating efficient breed improvement programs, this innovation promises to enhance sheep productivity and drive economic growth within the livestock sector. Dr. Ajit Singh Mahla, who led the development of Avi MAIL, underscored its significance, noting that despite India’s position as the world’s second-largest sheep population, the country has struggled to achieve substantial AI coverage.

The practical impact of Avi MAIL has already been demonstrated in Rajasthan’s Tonk and Jaipur districts, where it was deployed across five villages. AI was successfully performed on 450 sheep belonging to 10 farmers, achieving an impressive lambing rate of 58%. These results underscore the potential of Avi MAIL to uplift smallholder farmers by improving sheep productivity and profitability.

The innovation has garnered widespread acclaim from prominent figures, including Union Ministers  Shivraj Singh Chouhan,  Rajiv Ranjan Singh Alias Lallan Singh, and Prof. S.P.S. Baghel, as well as Dr. Himashu Pathak, Secretary (DARE) and Director General (ICAR). Senior officials and experts have also praised the initiative for its potential to modernize sheep breeding practices in India.

The versatility of Avi MAIL extends beyond sheep, with potential applications for goats, pigs, and horses. Its cost-effective and field-ready design positions it as an ideal solution for adoption by animal husbandry departments, research institutes, NGOs, and entrepreneurs engaged in breed improvement. Moreover, with the rise of commercial sheep farming and a growing demand for AI among progressive farmers, Avi MAIL offers a vital tool for propagating superior germplasm, such as the Avishaan and Avi-Dumba sheep breeds.

By bringing cutting-edge breeding practices directly to farmers, Avi MAIL reinforces ICAR-CSWRI’s leadership in livestock productivity innovation, paving the way for a sustainable and prosperous future for India’s sheep industry.