NDRI launches India’s first genomic selection programme for Sahiwal cattle

In a landmark initiative set to benefit India’s dairy sector, the ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI), here, has launched the country’s first genomic selection programme for Sahiwal cattle, one of India's premier indigenous dairy breeds.

The scientists claimed that this initiative aims to accelerate genetic improvement, milk productivity and profitability, particularly for small and medium dairy farmers by ensuring that only the best genetics is passed on to future generations.

“For the first time in the country, we have started a genomic selection programme for Sahiwal cattle. This initiative promises better productivity, faster genetic improvement and stronger economic returns for farmers,” said Dr. Dheer Singh, Director ICAR-NDRI while talking with The Tribune.

At the core of the programme is a cutting-edge genomic technique that has been customised for evaluation of the indigenous breeds.

“The institute has developed specialised models for Indian conditions, including support for smallholder production systems, multi-breed herds and areas with limited pedigree records. These tools ensure that even small and marginal farmers are not left behind in the genomic revolution. It allows scientists to identify bulls with the highest genetic potential for milk yield, reducing dependence on conventional selection methods phenotype based that take years to show results,” said the Director NDRI.

A team of scientists Dr Vikas Vohra, Head of the Animal Genetics and Breeding Department, Dr Anupama Mukherjee, Principal Scientist, Dr Rani Alex, Senior Scientist, Dr Gopal Gowane, Dr TV Raja, both Principal Scientists actively contributed to the success of this project. They conducted trials on various Sahiwal breeds of the NDRI and prepared their genomic breeding value (GBV).

About the achievement so far, Director Dr Dheer Singh said that one of the programme’s biggest breakthroughs is the drastic reduction in the generation interval. While traditional methods take 7–8 years, genomic selection can make top bulls available in just a few weeks. This will ensure high-quality semen from genomically tested Sahiwal bulls reaches farmers sooner, boosting herd productivity and improving rural household incomes.

He claimed that advancement will also support state governments and central agencies in producing semen from top-performing Sahiwal bulls, which will help in ongoing breed improvement programmes of the government by widening the reach of benefits to farmers nationwide. Even farmers who cannot directly afford genomic testing will benefit indirectly by using semen from genomically evaluated bulls.

Head of AGB Dr Vikas Vohra said the achievement reflects the “tireless efforts of the scientists, support staff, and scholars. “Genomic selection would empower farmers with better genetics, faster results and sustainable productivity gains, strengthening India’s journey towards a modern, self-reliant dairy sector in indigenous cattle.”