PM Modi to Inaugurate ₹325-Crore Cattle Breeding and Research Centre in Gujarat on October 30

The Bharat Bovine Breeding and Research Centre (BBBRC), spread across 127 acres at Bhildi, has been developed by Banas Dairy with technical guidance from the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) and support under the Centre’s Rashtriya Gokul Mission.

The facility is among five major projects associated with Banas Dairy that Modi will inaugurate, dedicate to the public or lay foundation stones for during his visit.

Gujarat Assembly Speaker and Banas Dairy Chairman Shankar Chaudhary said the centre would employ advanced reproductive technologies, including ovum pick-up and in-vitro fertilisation (OPU-IVF), alongside embryo transfer, to accelerate the breeding of genetically superior cattle.

Chaudhary explained that conventional breeding generally allows a cow to produce one calf annually, whereas modern reproductive techniques can enable multiple calves to be obtained from a high-quality cow within the same year.

The centre has set an annual target of 25,000 superior embryos, with the broader objective of improving the genetic characteristics of future cattle generations and increasing their milk-producing potential.

Focus on indigenous cattle and buffalo breeds

The facility will work with indigenous cattle breeds such as Kankrej, Gir, Sahiwal and Tharparkar. It will also focus on buffalo breeds including Mehsani, Banni, Jaffarabadi and Murrah.

Chaudhary said the initiative would promote a model centred on fewer but more productive animals, helping farmers manage rising livestock-rearing expenses and shrinking areas available for fodder cultivation.

The approach is intended to improve milk yields while reducing the resources required to maintain livestock, potentially increasing the profitability of dairy farming.

Expected benefits for farmers and rural women

According to Banas Dairy, the centre is expected to support small-scale livestock farmers and rural women, who account for a substantial share of the work undertaken in the dairy sector.

Farmers will be able to access disease-free bulls from superior breeds, quality semen and embryos at affordable prices. The use of improved breeding material is expected to strengthen the genetic potential of livestock and help increase milk production.

Higher milk yields and improved milk-fat content could also improve farmers’ earnings. However, the results will depend on factors such as animal genetics, nutrition, veterinary care and farm management practices.

Strengthening scientific dairy farming

The centre is also expected to contribute to the wider promotion of Indian cattle breeds, which are valued for their adaptability to hot climates and their performance under suitable local farming conditions.

Developed through the cooperation of Banas Dairy, technical experts and government-supported programmes, the facility aims to expand scientific breeding practices and improve the productivity of India’s dairy sector.

By combining reproductive technology with the conservation and improvement of indigenous breeds, the project seeks to strengthen livestock productivity and support the long-term economic prospects of dairy farmers.