PM Launches Unified Genomic Chip for Cattle, and Rs 23300 Cr Agri and Animal Husbandry Initiatives

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched several key initiatives for the agriculture and animal husbandry sectors, collectively worth Rs 23,300 crore on October 05, 2024. Among the highlights were the launch of the Unified Genomic Chip for cattle and indigenous sex-sorted semen technology, along with the dedication of more than 7,500 projects under the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) worth over Rs 1,920 crore.

The genomic chip technology, GAUCHIP for indigenous cattle and MAHISHCHIP for buffaloes, aims to enhance livestock breeding through genomic selection, helping farmers identify high-quality young bulls early on. Additionally, the launch of sex-sorted semen technology will reduce costs for farmers by Rs 200 per dose, improving cattle breeding efficiency across the country.

Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh, Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India emphasized how this breakthrough technology will help farmers identify high genetic merit animals and boost livestock productivity, marking a significant step towards empowering the farming community.

In the agricultural sector, the Prime Minister inaugurated a variety of AIF-supported projects, including custom hiring centers, primary processing units, warehouses, cold storage, and post-harvest management units. These infrastructure developments are expected to enhance agricultural productivity and reduce post-harvest losses for farmers.

During the event, PM Modi also dedicated 9,200 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) with a combined turnover of Rs 1,300 crore, reinforcing his government’s commitment to bolstering the agricultural value chain. Additionally, he inaugurated five solar parks across Maharashtra with a total capacity of 19 MW under the Mukhyamantri Saur Krushi Vahini Yojana – 2.0.

The program concluded with PM Modi honoring beneficiaries of the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana, showcasing his government's commitment to supporting both agricultural growth and social welfare.