Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], July 12 : Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying and Panchayati Raj-(FAHD&PR), Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh chaired the "Workshop on Breed Development in India" today, 12th July 2025 at Indira Gandhi Convention Centre, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh (UP), a press release from Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying said.
Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath, graced the occasion as Chief Guest of the workshop. Dharmpal Singh, Minister of Animal Husbandry & Dairy Development, Uttar Pradesh, and Gabriel D. Wangsu, Minister of Animal Husbandry, Arunachal Pradesh, also graced the occasion.
The workshop brought together experts from Central and State Governments, research organisations, private institutions, policymakers, and progressive farmers from across the country to deliberate on strategies for strengthening indigenous breed development and genetic improvement in the livestock sector.
The workshop was attended by more than 700 livestock farmers, veterinarians, and senior officials from the Centre and States/UTs. The workshop was organised with the aim of ideating strategies and a way forward to improve the indigenous livestock breeds in the country.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath inaugurated the Artificial Insemination Training Institute in Gorakhpur. In addition, the workshop saw the inauguration of three key infrastructure projects namely Gyandhara Industries Pvt. Ltd, Amethi; Chanchala Foods India Pvt. Ltd, Bareilly, Brijwasi Keshav Milk Product, Mathura in Uttar Pradesh under the Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF).
The Framework for the Establishment of Breeders Associations has also been launched in the program with an aim to strengthen breed conservation and promote organised breeder networks across the country.
During his address, the Chief Minister of UP expressed gratitude to Minister FAHD for choosing Uttar Pradesh as the venue for the pivotal workshop. He said livestock farmers play a key part in driving the nation's growth and strengthening rural economies. Addressing the challenge of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), he assured that the State is committed to making its livestock FMD-free, thereby enhancing the prosperity of its farmers.
He highlighted that factors such as climate, hygiene, and proper care play a crucial role in enhancing livestock productivity. He encouraged farmers rearing indigenous breeds to adopt advanced technologies for accelerated growth.
He highlighted successful women-led milk unions in Jhansi, where scientific livestock rearing is transforming rural economies. He mentioned the work of Go-Seva Aayog, UP, in breed improvement and training and emphasised the promotion of natural farming and sustainability. He mentioned that these efforts will not only increase farmer incomes but also enhance self-reliance and Atma-Nirbharta in the livestock sector.
Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh, Minister, FAHD, stressed the importance of increasing milk productivity across the country. He noted that the ongoing workshop is an important step in this direction, focusing on breed improvement through advanced technologies such as In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) and Sex Sorted Semen (SSS). These innovations aim to enhance livestock quality and support farmers in achieving better yields and income.
He also highlighted the efforts of the Government of India for the control and eradication of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD). He also appreciated the role of MAITRIs, which are bringing Artificial Insemination (AI) technology directly to farmers' doorsteps.
The Minister also spotlighted the sustainability model in the dairy sector. He extended heartfelt thanks to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for gracing the occasion as the chief guest.
Minister, Animal Husbandry Department, Uttar Pradesh, Dharmpal Singh, said that Uttar Pradesh is making significant strides in livestock development through farmer-centric policies. He highlighted the State's commitment to breed improvement. He mentioned that UP is leveraging technologies like Artificial Insemination (AI), IVF, and SSS.
During her address, Alka Upadhyaya, Secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, GoI, emphasised the critical role of livestock development in driving national progress and achieving sustainable development goals. She outlined a strategic vision for enhancing productivity, technological advancement, and regional focus in the livestock sector.
Chief Minister, UP and the Union Minister, FAHD, interacted directly with progressive livestock farmers, who shared their experiences and suggestions from the field.
Two panel discussions were held, focusing on strategies and innovations to boost genetic progress and technology adoption in the livestock sector, moderated by Varsha Joshi, Additional Secretary, GoI, DAHD and Dr. Abhijit Mitra, Animal Husbandry Commissioner, DAHD. The sessions brought together key stakeholders, scientists, and policymakers to deliberate on the transformative role of modern technologies and innovations in India's Livestock Sector. The speakers highlighted successful models and field-level experiences, underlining the importance of breed selection, performance recording, and the use of advanced reproductive technologies.
The workshop marks a significant step forward in aligning India's breed development efforts with global standards, ensuring sustainability, productivity, and enhanced livelihoods for livestock farmers across the country.