Background:

India is the world’s largest milk producer, and much of this success comes from the hard work of millions of smallholder dairy farmers, who on an average, rear just two to five cows or buffaloes. For these families, dairy is not just a source of nutrition but also a steady source of income and financial security. However, improving the productivity of cattle and buffaloes under such smallholder systems has always been a challenge.

Traditionally, farmers and breeding organisations relied on two approaches to improve the performance of animals: pedigree selection and progeny testing. Pedigree selection is based on the performance of parents (mostly cow) or family history, while progeny testing evaluates a bull by measuring the performance of his daughters. While these methods have contributed to genetic improvement, they have a few limitations. Pedigree selection is often unreliable because environmental factors like feed and health strongly affect performance, while progeny testing, though accurate, takes 8–10 years to identify a proven bull. This delay slows down genetic progress and farmers have to wait too long to observe benefits in their herds.

In recent years, a new technology called genomic selection has emerged as a powerful tool to overcome these barriers. This technology uses information from DNA markers spread across the entire genome to predict the future performance of an animal, even at a very young age (1 – 2 months). Instead of waiting years for milk records or progeny results, bulls and cows can now be evaluated within months. This not only speeds up the breeding process but also increases accuracy as the DNA-based prediction captures the true genetic potential of the animal.

For smallholder farmers, this means faster access to superior bulls, healthier and more productive cows and buffaloes, and higher profitability from dairying. Beyond milk yield, genomics also allows selection for other important traits such as fertility, udder health, disease resistance, and heat tolerance — traits that are vital for sustainable dairy farming in India’s diverse and often challenging environments.

Genomic selection, therefore, is more than a scientific advancement; it is a practical solution for the future of Indian dairying, ensuring that smallholder farmers remain at the heart of the country’s dairy growth story.

What is Genomic Selection (GS)?

A modern tool where DNA markers (SNPs) spread across the genome are used to predict an animal’s genetic merit. Instead of waiting years to measure milk yield, fertility, or health traits, GS gives early and reliable predictions.

Why is Genomic Selection Important for India?
Breeding in cattle and buffalo has traditionally relied on pedigree selection and progeny testing, and now adopted genomic selection. As mentioned earlier, pedigree may be fast but it is unreliable due to poor accuracy and progeny testing is accurate but slow. Compared to these two methods, genomic selection is both fast and reliable.

Unlike developed countries where the dairy sector is dominated by commercial farming and large herds, the Indian dairy system is dominated by smallholders and hence, every cow or buffalo matters. Therefore, we cannot simply use the genomic selection equation and/or reference population used in developed countries to arrive at results in our production system. Our country is spread across a large geographic area, divided into multiple agro-climatic zones and various production systems. In the absence of pedigree information, genomic selection can pave the way for effective selection and desired genetic gain. Thus, genomic selection can help policy makers and farmers in the following ways:

Genotype × Environment Interaction

Animals perform differently in different environments. A bull selected in Europe may not give the same results in India. Similarly, the daughters of a bull selected in one region of India with a rich environment and management conditions may not necessarily show similar performance in another region with comparatively difficult conditions and harsh climatic conditions. Hence, special efforts are required to first understand the extent of genotype by environment (GxE) interaction and then design breeding policies tailored to Indian conditions so that farmers can maintain animals which perform well in their specific environments.

In understanding GxE interaction especially in crossbreds, the knowledge of Breed Composition is of utmost importance. From our study of crossbred cattle, we realised that our crossbred cattle are actually a mixed population with mixed inheritance of both Holstein Friesian and Jersey breeds in addition to various native breed proportion. Hence, we used the word “crossbreds” rather than any specific crossbred. GxE interaction study takes this breed proportion into account to determine which breeds or breed combination can work well or is well-suited for which region based on their genotype and actual performance. By considering the area or region or production system, a specific breed combination can be distributed which will be helpful in achieving the desired production.

Public–Private Partnership for Genomic selection

What “we” have accomplished so far

Development of customized SNP panel

One of the major constraints in developing our own reference population was choice of SNP panel. We used the existing SNP panel earlier to genotype Indian population. We understood that those panel (s) were not informative and therefore needed different approaches involving customised SNP panel suitable for our bovine population. This triggered national institutes / organisations such as National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), ICAR-National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources, National Institute of Animal Biotechnology (NAIB) and BAIF to collaborate and design a SNP panel by choosing informative DNA markers. These fruitful efforts led to the development of India’s own genotyping panels – ‘Gau’ for cattle and ‘Mahish’ for buffalo which were launched by the Hon. Prime Minister of India Mr. Narendra Modi and is being used since then for genotyping purpose.

Building reference population

Since the terminology is technical, let us make it simpler. A reference population is a large group of animals whose DNA has been tested and whose performance (milk records, fertility and health) is well known. A reference population is like a dictionary. The DNA markers (in our case SNPs) are like words. The performance records (milk yield, fertility and health) are the meanings of the words. Once the dictionary is built, you don’t need to wait for years – you can ‘read’ the DNA of any calf and understand its future performance immediately

Building a large breed specific reference population (thousands of genotyped animals with phenotype records of trait of interest) is essential for accurate predictions. This is especially preferable approach in developing countries where pedigree records are scarcely available and the time required to prove the genetic merit of the bull is huge under PT programme. In such cases, the prediction of the genetic merit using reference population, can improve the genetic gain within a short time.

Today, using a large reference population, the genomic selection has been brought into practice in India for 6 breeds viz. HF crossbreds, Jersey crossbreds, Gir, Murrah and Mehsana. All the Central Monitoring Units (CMU) accredited semen stations are selecting young bull calves using genomic breeding values (a measure to determine the genetic merit).

In the current scenario, there are multiple institutes, organisations and government agencies who are engaged in phenotype data collection and genotyping of animals. Through public-private partnerships, a very large breed specific reference population can be built which can bring about improvement in the prediction accuracy by many folds. Sharing data, knowledge, capacity building through trainings, discussion and policies can help our country in the long run and therefore should be the way ahead for sustainable genetic progress in the dairy sector.

What “we” can achieve in future?

Understanding and maintaining genetic diversity

Genetic diversity in animals is like having many tools in a toolbox. If you keep only one tool, you can’t fix every problem. By keeping many tools (genes), your herd can face future challenges like heat, diseases, or new market demands. Genomic selection helps us choose the best animals quickly and accurately. But if we always use only a few top bulls, the population may become too closely related. This reduces genetic diversity. If diversity is lost, animals may become more vulnerable to health problems and fertility issues. With DNA data, we can measure how related animals are and avoid mating close relatives. The present SNP chips also help identify and preserve the unique genetic diversity of Indian cattle and buffaloes, which are naturally adapted to the Indian environment.

Our research has proved that there exists a large within-breed variation. Therefore, it is safe to say that most of our breeds have sufficient genetic diversity. However, it is necessary to monitor genetic diversity on a routine or periodic basis for breed-specific population.

Multi-Trait Genomic Selection and Economic indexing

Presently, we have been selecting the best genetic merit animals based on their production performance and more specifically, their milk yield. This may be an approach to select animals who can be high yielders. But focussing on one trait may hamper the genetic progress of other economically important traits. Traits which are negatively correlated with production such as fat percentage, fertility, body condition score etc. will be affected severely. If we need to achieve sustainable genetic improvement in future, we must adapt multi-trait approach involving economically important traits such as production, fertility, dairy conformation and health. In addition to this, the economic index for bull selection which assigns weight to traits based on their importance to farmers, the bulls are ranked on the basis of total economic merit, ensuring better profitability to farmers.

Use of Genomics with Advanced Reproductive Technologies

Genomic selection becomes even more effective when used together with modern reproductive technologies. These technologies help to multiply the genes of the best animals quickly and spread them widely among farmers. Normally, AI semen produces about 50% male and 50% female calves. With sex-sorted semen, farmers can obtain up to 90% female calves, which are more valuable for milk production. When the semen comes from genomically tested bulls, farmers are not only getting more daughters but also daughters with superior genetic merit. Instead of waiting years to see if a bull is good, genomics tells us early. Using sex-sorted semen ensures more productive female calves from the beginning.

In addition to this, in Embryo Transfer Technology, embryos from high-quality donor cows are transferred into ordinary surrogate cows. If donor cows are genomically tested, we can select only the best females for producing embryos. To make this approach more effective, the use of sex sorted semen along with IVF technology can produce embryos with the desired sex. This way, farmers will not only obtain female calves but they will also get many calves in one year from a top cow, instead of just one.

Conclusion

Genomic selection is not just a laboratory concept — it is a practical tool for Indian dairy farmers. By using genomically tested bulls, understanding breed composition, and adopting balanced breeding strategies, farmers can ensure that their herds are productive, healthy, and profitable.

The future lies in combining science, policy, and farmer participation through strong partnerships. With tools like Gau and Mahish, India is leading the way in making genomics affordable and relevant for smallholder dairy systems.

Farmers’ FAQs

1. If I already know which cow gives more milk, why do I need genomics?

Answer: Milk yield depends not only on genetics but also on feed, health, and management. A cow giving more milk may not always transmit this ability to her calf. Genomics tells us the hidden genetic potential, making selection more accurate.

2. Will genomic selection make my cows produce more milk immediately?

Answer: No.  Genomic selection works on a long-term basis. By using genomically tested bulls in artificial insemination, the herd will gradually become more productive, fertile, and disease-resistant with the female calves produced through genomically selected bulls.

3. Does this mean local breeds are better than foreign breeds?

Answer: Both have value. Indigenous breeds are more heat-tolerant and disease-resistant, while exotic breeds have higher yield. Genomics helps us to combine the best of both worlds.

4. Why should I know the breed composition of my cow?

Answer: Knowing breed composition helps in selecting the right bull for mating. For example, if your cow already has high HF blood, crossing again with HF may cause fertility and heat stress issues.

5. Does this mean private companies will control all genetics?

Answer: No, the idea is to share resources. Public institutes ensure fair access, while private players help scale up technology quickly.

6. Will I get more money if I use semen from genomically tested bulls?

Answer: Yes.  This is because your herd will gradually have higher yield and better fertility, meaning more milk and fewer losses from disease and infertility.

7. For which trait breeding values are available and who provides them regularly?

Answer: At present, NDDB is the nodal agency to provide genomic breeding values and breed composition for crossbreds, Gir, Sahiwal, and Murrah and Mehasana buffalo.

8. “Does this mean every cow in the village will be part of the reference population?”

Answer: Not necessarily. Only a randomly selected group of animals across many farms are included to build the database. But once it is ready, every farmer benefits because the semen from genomically tested bulls becomes available for use.

9. Is genomic selection only for exotic breeds like HF and Jersey, or also for indigenous cattle and buffalo?

Answer: It is applicable for both. India has developed special chips like Gau (for cattle – Gir, Sahiwal and other dairy breeds for which genomic breeding values can be made available) and Mahish chip (for buffalo – Murrah, Mehasana and other dairy breeds for which genomic breeding values can be made available) to study indigenous breeds. This ensures that native animals are also improved without losing their unique strength such as heat tolerance and disease resistance.

10. Will genomics replace the need for good feeding and management?

Answer: No. Genetics decides the potential, but only good feeding, health care and management allow that potential to be fully expressed. Genomics and good management go hand-in-hand.

11. Is it too expensive for small farmers?

Answer: If farmer is interested to check the genetic merit and breed purity/ composition of
their own animals, the cost of test is usually around 2,000 to 2,200. In case of bulls, farmers don’t need to pay directly for DNA testing of bulls. The cost is usually borne by breeding programmes, cooperatives or government projects. Farmers benefit indirectly by receiving semen from genomically tested bulls, often at the same price as regular semen. 

12. How is genomics different from crossbreeding?

Answer: Crossbreeding mixes genes of two breeds, while genomics helps us to choose the best animals within and across breeds. With genomics, we can also maintain the right balance of blood levels (e.g., HF × Indigenous) and avoid problems of over-crossing.

13. Can genomics help in reducing diseases in cows and buffaloes?

Answer: Yes. Genomic selection allows us to identify bulls with better resistance to mastitis, reproductive problems, and tropical diseases. Using such bulls reduces health costs and improves herd longevity. However, under the present Indian condition, it is yet to be standardised. But we hope that it may happen in the near future.

14. What if I keep only 2–3 animals? Will genomics still benefit me?

Answer: Yes. Since genomic bulls are used through AI services, even farmers with very small herd, also benefit. Every calf born from such semen carries improved genetics, which adds value to the small herd over time.

15. How soon will I see results if my cooperative starts using genomically tested bulls?

Answer: Within one generation (3–4 years) you will notice better performing cows. Over two generations (6–8 years), the difference in milk, and fertility will be significant compared to herds not using genomics.

Introduction:

World Honey Bee Day (16 August 2025) served as a reminder of the invaluable role played by honey bees in our lives. While most of us consume honey from neatly packaged bottles, we often forget the tremendous effort behind every drop. Thousands of honey bee workers collectively store food for their young ones and to sustain their colony Humans, however, harvest this honey, benefitting from the collective action of the honey bees.

Honey bees are social insects which live in colonies, each individual contributing to the survival of the group. A single worker bee spends an entire day collecting nectar and pollen, which are later processed into honey, royal jelly and other hive products. Known for their efficiency, honey bees are faster nectar collectors compared to many other pollinators.

Besides honey production, bees are indispensable to agriculture. Nearly 75% of the global crops depend on pollinators like bees for fruit and seed production (FAO). Cross-pollinated crops, especially those with separate male and female flowers, such as cucurbits (pumpkin, cucumber), rely heavily on the pollinators with bees functioning as mediators of fertilization.

Diversity of Honey Bees in India:

In India, three commonly recognized species of honey bees are:

Apis dorsata (Rock bee)

Apis cerana indica (Indian Honey Bee)

Apis florea (Dwarf or Garden bee)

However, another lesser known group of bees plays a silent but significant role in pollination and ecosystem services – Stingless (Tetragonula iridipennis)

Stingless Bees: Small but significant:  Stingless bees often mistaken for small flies, live in small colonies within wall crevices, hollow tree trunks, and logs. Though tiny, they are powerful pollinators of crops such as brinjal (egg plant), tomato, ash gourd, beans and various wild shrubs, herbs and trees. They also produce honey, stored in small resinous pots.  This honey is highly valued in Ayurvedic medicine for its medicinal properties.   

Conservation of Stingless bees for Sustainable Agroecological System

In Sabbanhalli village near Bilikere, in Hunsur block of Karnataka, more than 50 stingless bee colonies were documented in the village, inside the farmhouse – a pump house made up of mud bricks. These colonies supported pollination of local crops and surrounding vegetation. However, a challenge emerged with the transition from mud brick farmhouses to cement brick construction. Unlike mud, cement brick walls do not provide suitable nesting cavities, thereby threatening the natural habitat of stingless bees due to harmful chemical pesticides used in commercial crops like cabbage.

Conservation efforts:

To address this issue, awareness programmes were initiated with the farmers through the following measures:

Colony rescue and Transfer: Natural colonies were carefully harvested and transferred to wooden bee boxes, enabling easier management and honey collection.

Training Programmes: Farmers were trained in stingless bee rearing, hive management and sustainable honey harvesting.

Habitat Conservation: Observations revealed that colonies thrived near jackfruit and coconut plantations, as these plants provided resin essential for building nests. Thus, promoting these crops indirectly and by introducing intercropping, stripe cropping, niger, sunflower and other nectar source crops, the survival of stingless bees is supported.

Ecological and Agricultural Significance: Stingless bees (T. iridipennis) are highly organized, with a social structure comprising of a queen, drones (males), workers and soldier bees. Workers not only forage but also clean and maintain the colony. Their ability to pollinate a wide variety of crops makes them vital for food security and biodiversity.

By conserving stingless bees, multiple benefits can be secured such as

1. Enhanced Crop yields through pollination
2. Preservation of biodiversity in agroecosystems
3. Production of high-value medicinal honey
4. Community–based income generation opportunities.

Reference:

https://www.fao.org/pollination/about/en#

Vinod Borse, Sadashiv Nimbalkar, Deepak Patil, and Sagar Jadhav

Agroecological Conservationists

BAIF Development Research Foundation, India

Why bees matter?

Bees are the most efficient pollinators in the natural world. They help in fertilising over 75% of the world’s crops, making them essential not just to biodiversity but to our plates as well. In recent years, however, changes in land use, chemical farming and habitat loss have placed enormous pressure on wild pollinators.

This survey was designed to collect baseline data which can provide information on conservation strategies and sustainable farming practices.

​The survey: what we saw?

Between mid-2024 and early 2025, I visited 19 rural locations across Maharashtra. These included farmlands, forest fringes, and agroforestry zones – habitats where both domesticated and wild bees forage and nest.

A total of 12 species of bees was recorded, each with its unique ecological role and behaviour.

Bee Species Recorded

What the data tells us?

Top spot goes to Apis florea – a wild honey bee that builds open nests. It was seen most often and in the highest numbers (19 individuals), showing its adaptability to rural landscapes. Apis cerana indica the domesticated Indian honey bee, also showed good presence. Its coexistence with wild bees is crucial for both ecology and livelihoods. Carpenter bees like Xylocopa tenuiscapa (8 individuals) suggest that some natural nesting habitats still persist, possibly in wooden structures or hollow stems. Solitary bees like Amegilla, Nomia and Pseudapis appeared in small numbers. their low visibility may point to reduced nesting spaces or competition for floral resources.

Rare Bees such as Tetragonula iridipennis (a stingless bee) and Ceratina smargdula highlight the fact that the hidden world of tiny pollinators is often overlooked in agricultural landscapes.

​

Ecological Reflections

This Survey confirms that despite growing development pressures, many native bee species are still present in Maharashtra’s rural ecosystem. However, the relatively low numbers of several species raise red flags about their long-term survival.

What can we do?

• Plant more native flowers to support year-round foraging.
• Reduce pesticide use, especially during the flowering season.
• Preserve nesting habitats – mud walls, tree hollows, hedgerows, and open soil.
• Raise awareness among farmers about pollinators and role in crop yields.

​

Bees and the future of farming

Bees are natures tiny farmers. Supporting them support us. As. Climate change disrupts weather patterns and crop cycles fostering a rich pollinators community in a no regret investment for resilience, based on the bee diversity data collected from 19 locations in Maharashtra, several key observations emerge; species like Apis florea, Apis cerana indica and Xylocopa tenuiscapa are relatively common while others such as Tetragonula iridipennis and Ceratina samaragdula are rare. Solitary and less visible species are under-represented possibly due to habitat degradation, competition, or lack of nesting and floral resources.

​Bee Conservations Solutions and Activities

1.Enhance Floral Diversity

Why: Diverse Flowering Plants provide food year-round for a variety of bee species.

Activities: Establish Pollinator Garden using native flowering species in school grounds, community spaces and farm bunds. Promote intercropping and border planting with flowering plants like marigold, sunflower, niger, coriander and basil. introduce seasonal flowering trees and shrubs.

2.Create nesting habitats.

Why: Solitary and carpenter bees need specific habitats like open soil, wood cavities, and wall. crevices.

Activities: Install bee hotels using bamboo, wood blocks, and drilled logs. Leave patches of bare ground in farms and gardens for ground nesting bees like lasioglossum and Nomia. Avoid excessive tillage and land levelling in the off season. preserve mud walls, old trees and natural hedgerows.

3.Minimise pesticide Use

Why: pesticides are a major threat to both managed and wild bee populations.

Activities: Promote Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and use bio-pesticides like neem oil. Educate farmers on safe spraying times (early morning or evening when bees are less active) conduct farmer training on the impact of systematic insecticides like neonicotinoids.

 4.Farmer and Community Awareness

Why: Long term conservation depends on local participation and understanding.

Activities: Conduct village-level awareness campaigns using posters, wall paintings. Street plays and short films. Train SHGs, Youth and School children on the importance of bees celebrate World Bee Day (May 20) through community events bee walks.

5.Monitoring and Citizen science

Why: Local Monitoring helps track trends and fosters a sense of ownership.

Activities: Encourage citizen science by training local youth to document bee sights (e.g. using platforms). Develop a seasonal monitoring protocol to track species diversity and abundance. Collaborate with local institutions for research and data validation.

6.Policy and convergence

Why: Integrating bee Conservation into existing rural programs ensures scale and sustainability

Activities: Integrate pollinator-friendly practices into MGNREGEA, Watershed Programmes and Agroforestry schemes, partner with FPOs and cooperatives to  promote bee-friendly labelling and practices.

7.Promote Beekeeping and stingless Bee culture

Why: Beekeeping and Livelihoods and improve pollination.

Activities: Promote Apis cerana indica and Tetragonula iridipennis as an income-generating activity, especially for SHG and Youth; train framers in bee box maintenance, hive management, and honey processing; link bee products to local markets or agritourism initiatives. These activities together create a resilient, pollinator-friendly landscape that supports not just biodiversity, but also better crop productivity, climate resilience, and ecological balance.

Community health is crucial for ensuring longer, healthier lives, addressing health disparities, and increasing access to care, education and engagement. Communities which respond to critical health initiatives such as hygiene, nutrition, chronic diseases and mental well-being enjoys higher life expectancies with better health indicators.

India’s tribal population which is 104 million or 8.6% of the total population, faces significant health challenges, including higher rates of infectious diseases like malaria and tuberculosis, malnutrition, and non-communicable diseases like diabetes and heart disease with lower life expectancy. Key factors affecting community health include access to healthcare, affordable housing, nutritious food, social support and a healthy environment.

In tribal areas, inadequate access to comprehensive primary health care services, hygiene, sanitation and lack of awareness, are the primary reasons for poor health status of the community. In view of this, there is an urgent need to develop suitable mechanisms to bring low-cost, affordable and accessible healthcare systems to rural and tribal areas for ensuring access to health by everyone.

Herbal traditional systems led by traditional healers and well accepted by the community can be integrated into the system to take care of the primary health needs in villages at a nominal cost. Their knowledge needs to be systematically documented, promoting cultivation and propagation of medicinal herbs which can ensure sustainability. There is a need to harness the traditional healthcare system to supplement the mainstream healthcare mechanism in the country.

Need for Empowerment of Traditional Health Practitioner (THP)

1. Lack of access to comprehensive primary health care services by the tribal community
2. THPs are the primary point of contact for health services without authentication.
3. Lack of modern knowledge and equipment for mainstreaming with the present health practices.

BAIF is addressing these challenges with livelihood generation and focussing on preventive health to improve the quality of life of tribal and rural communities through the following initiatives:

• Empower and enhance the quality, security of health care services to rural and tribal community through traditional healers.
• Authentication of THPs by Quality Council of India (QCI) Conserve, promote native medicines through Healers channel.

Tribal healers serve as essential connectors to bridge the healthcare gap and achieve these goals.

Community benefits

• Accessibility
• Availability of improved comprehensive primary health care services.
• Linkages with modern health care system.

Environmental benefits

• Conservation of Biodiversity
• Sustainable Resource Management

Individual benefits

• Increased income as supplementary livelihood
• Authentication
• Quality of life.

Conclusion

This health care model integrates traditional healing practices with modern healthcare with the goal of improved healthcare in tribal villages. Traditional medicine moves closer to culture and is available at an affordable cost thereby preventing exploitation. As Indians are accustomed to dietary restrictions, it becomes an integral part of traditional medicine and thereby increases acceptance among the community. The community are able to avail of primary health services in the village itself with the creation of a cadre of Traditional Health Practitioner (THPs) who remain an essential aspect of the complementary healthcare system in tribal areas. This system showcases a unique Health Delivery model for further scaling up and replication in other tribal regions of the country.

Case Story : A ray of hope for tribal families

Smt. Manjulaben Patel, a certified tribal healer from Amdha village in Valsad district of South Gujarat, has become a beacon of hope for her community. Prior to the certification through Vasundhara trust her skills and knowledge were unrecognized. However, her passion and dedication for healing, led her to assist other tribal healers and offer free healthcare to the tribal families. Despite a modest background, Manjulaben actively learnt and expanded her expertise in naturopathy through training received at the Nature Cure Ashram at Uruli Kanchan, Pune.

Her active participation in various forums such as Healers meet, Academic institute interactions and a Congress on “Ayurveda” helped strengthen trust among the community. As a result, her livelihood and quality of life improved significantly. Today, she earns an average of ₹70,000 per month and has established her own healthcare centre, “Charak Vanoushodhi Evam Kudarati Prathama Upchar Kendra,” where she provides treatment for various ailments such as paralysis, arthritis, joint pain, diabetes and women’s health issues. So far, she has treated around 11,200 patients.

Manjulaben also promotes traditional medicine and conservation of medicinal plants through the herbal garden established by her. As a mentor, she guides young healers and offers valuable knowledge on the use of herbs to local colleges.  Her journey is an inspiring example of how Women healers can make a significant impact on their communities and also enjoy improved quality of life.

Introduction:

​In a world where healthcare accessibility often seems like a privilege rather than a basic right, the BAIF Swayamsahayata Vima Samiti initiative stands out as a beacon of hope. Established in 2002, this innovative health insurance programme responds to the health needs of 1,281 women from 81 self-help groups (SHGs) across 30 hamlets covering 10 villages of Haveli and Daund in Pune district of Maharashtra. By facilitating discussions on the problems encountered by these women in accessing reliable health care services, BAIF Development Research Foundation has addressed the critical issue of lack of priority towards women’s health due to financial constraints.

Identifying the Problem:

During a workshop attended by representatives of various SHGs, it became evident that women’s health concerns were not mobilising adequate attention. The analysis revealed two significant challenges:

1. Lack of Designated Health Funds: Rural households often did not allocate any funds for addressing the health of women in the household expenses.  In the absence of financial support, the health of women was generally neglected.
2. Neglect of Minor Health Problems: Many minor health problems were ignored, resulting in their escalation. This neglect created a deterioration in the health condition which could have been prevented with timely intervention.

Realising the urgent need for a structured approach to health care of women, the Swayamsahayata Vima Samiti (Self-Help Insurance Committee) was constituted at the wadi-vasti as well as village level.

Collaborative Effort and Support:

Swayamsahayata Vima Samiti was formed due to the joint effort of BAIF, GTZ Germany (a government-owned organisation for international cooperation), Maharashtra State Health Department and Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC). This effort enabled women to receive priority attention and to access affordable health insurance benefits.  For a nominal annual premium of Rs. 200 to Rs.250, women could secure themselves against ill health and ensure coverage of various health care expenses.

Health Coverage Benefits:

​The scheme enabled women to manage and benefit from their health insurance collectively. All the 21 villages participating in this health scheme, elected a representative to establish an insurance committee. This committee managed funds by opening bank accounts for the members in nationalised banks and facilitated the payment of the annual premium. The scheme offered the following health coverage for rural women:

1. Hospitalisation Coverage: In the case of hospitalisation for conditions covered under the scheme, insured women could access financial support up to Rs.5,000, including coverage for expectant mothers.
2. Accidental Coverage: Minor injuries from accidents were covered with women receiving Rs.25,000 as assistance along with medical expenses.
3. Permanent Disabilities: In the unfortunate event of a permanent handicap resulting from an accident, the affected individual was entitled to receive up to Rs.50,000.
4. Death Benefits: The scheme offered Rs.20,000 for natural deaths and Rs.50,000 for accidental deaths thereby providing significant support to the bereaved families.

Additional Benefits​:

This unique health insurance scheme also provided the following additional benefits to its members:

1. Scholarships for Children: To encourage education among children, the scheme provided Rs.100 per month scholarship for children of committee members scoring high marks in 9^th to 11^th standards. This initiative not only recognised academic excellence but also supported unfortunate families to continue the education of their children.
2. Subsidised Treatment: Committee members who availed of treatment at the Nisargopachar Ashram at Uruli Kanchan near Pune, benefitted from subsidised boarding and treatment expenditures while benefitting from nature cure.
3. Loan Facilities for Claims: For those applying for claims, a loan of either Rs.3,000 or 50% of the claim amount (whichever was lower) was available at half the rate of interest charged by SHGs thereby providing immense financial relief during emergencies.
4. No-Claim Bonus: To reward members who had not claimed any benefits for consecutive five years, a no-claim bonus of Rs. 300 was instituted. This initiative encouraged health management and preventative health care through counselling by doctors and regular health check up.

Claim Process:

The process for claiming benefits was simple and efficient. Each village-level representative collected the claim documents every month, ensuring that all the committee members could have access to their entitled benefits. Claims were settled on the last Saturday of every month, with payments issued to the claimant or their dependents and deposited immediately in their bank accounts.

Impact:

The impact of the Swayamsahayata Vima Samiti initiative has been far-reaching. Improved health outcome for women members of various SHGs have led to visible changes in their livelihood and well-being of their families. The programme has fostered a sense of community solidarity and empowerment and equipped women with the much needed awareness and resources for assured health care.

Financial Overview and Sustainability:

A crucial aspect of the success lies in its financial structure. The cost break up of the Jeevan Beema Yojana (JBY) demonstrates a clear allocation toward health sustainability.

• Medi-claim: Rs. 135
• LIC JBY: Rs. 50
• Medical Check Up: Rs. 30
• Field Guide: Rs. 30
• Administrative Charges: Rs. 30
• No-Claim Bonus: Rs. 25
• Total: Rs. 300

This structured financial approach ensures that the programme remains sustainable while maximising benefits.

Conclusion:

The BAIF Swayamsahayata Vima Samiti is a transformative initiative for women’s health care in rural India. By prioritising healthcare expenses, empowering women through collective action and providing accessible health insurance, the programme has created a resilient community capable of reaching out to one another in times of need.   As more and more women join SHGs and take part in this initiative, the impact on the families and communities will continue to grow. The path towards health equity and empowerment is lit up by the commitment and collaboration of women determined to take control of their health and well-being.

Call to Action:  

​For more details on the Swayamsahayata Vima Samiti initiative or to learn how you can support similar programmes in your community, please contact Mr. Hanumant Bhosale (E-mail: bhosale.hanumant@baif.org.in). Together, we can pave the way for a healthier future of rural women and their families.

Introduction:

After completion of the survey, evaluation and characterization of the lesser-known cattle population from Vidarbha region of Maharashtra during the period November 2017 to March 2020 under the National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR), Karnal, BAIF applied to NBAGR to register this lesser-known cattle population at the national level with a recommendation from the Animal Husbandry Commissioner of Maharashtra State. Subsequently, this breed was registered as the 51st cattle breed out of 53 breeds at the national level. This is the second registered cattle breed from Vidarbha region the first being the Gaolao breed.

Review of literature, Central Provinces District Gazetteers of the-then Chanda district Volume A, originally printed in 1909 and an article published in the Indian Journal of Animal Sciences (Vol. 83 Issue 6) in 2013 by Sajal Kulkarni, R L Bhagat, A B Pande and S B Gokhale provided some information on this breed. Discussions with animal owners and villagers indicated that they were not aware of the name of the breed and these unnamed animals were either recognized as nondescript or called ‘Local’, ‘Gavathi’ or ‘Mulakhi’. These animals were referred to as “Telangpatti” in Chanda district Gazetteers. On various visits to cattle owners, it was observed that earlier this area known for pulses grown locally and called ‘Kathan’ with some elderly farmers also stating that there was a ‘Kathani’-named local jowar variety, which however has vanished. These unnamed animals consumed ‘Kathani’ jowar straw as a source of fodder and hence derived the name ‘Kathani’. The presence of a ‘Kathani’ river near Gadchiroli city which joins Waingangā River, has made most cattle owner believe that as these animals have been found in the Basin of the Kathani River, hence, these animals might have derived the name ‘Kathani’.

Breeding area:

The Kathani cattle is mainly found in Gadchiroli, Gondia and Chandrapur districts. For survey purpose, four tehsils each from Gadchiroli and Gondia districts and five tehsils from Chandrapur district were selected. The tehsils from Gadchiroli were Aheri, Etapalli, Chamorshi and Dhanora. The tehsils from Gondia were Arjuni Morgaon, Deori, Sadak Arjuni and Salekasa. Chimur, Gondpipri, Mul, Pombhurna, and Sindewahi tehsils were the identified tehsils from Chandrapur district.

Housing:

The housing pattern of Kathani cattle revealed that nearly all the cattle owners provided housing to their animals either during daytime or nighttime to safeguard them from rain, wind and wild animals. Maximum cattle owners kept their animals in open paddocks. A few farmers had a closed type of housing. Being an open paddock, urine drainage area was of pucca type and the overall hygiene and sanitation was good. Some farmers had a separate housing structure with kutcha ceiling, made from wood or dried cotton straws and some farmers had pucca type housing constructed from either bricks or stones using clay as a cementing material. The flooring of the housing was mostly kutcha type and made up of mud and stones.

Feed and fodder resources:

After harvesting paddy leftovers locally known as ‘Tanis’, dry jowar (Kadaba), a leftover of soybean, mung, wheat, cowpea, chickpea, pigeon pea, black gram, etc. locally known as ‘Kutar’ and grasses constitute the major source of fodder for these animals. In this breeding area, monoculture cropping (paddy, soybean, tur, chickpea) based on rain-fed irrigation is being practiced. Hence, in the absence of green fodder, concentrate feed in the form of crushed homemade rice bran locally known as ‘Kukus’ was fed to the animals.

Breeding of Animals:

Natural service is the major and preferred breeding method adopted by cattle owners and almost all breeding is undertaken while animals are grazing. The bulls used for natural service do not have any selection criteria. The non-castrated bulls perform breeding of animals as the male animals and female animals graze together. Due to lack of availability of Kathani bull semen, those who had facilities for Artificial Insemination (AI) within close proximity, preferred to breed their animals using HF or Jersey bull semen.

Physical Characteristics:

The Kathani animals are of medium size body structure and their coat of three different colours namely white, blackish and reddish. Three types of muzzle colours were also noticed black, mottled, and carroty (Colour of Daucus carrota). The majority of the animals have black muzzles. The colour of the eyelid and eyeball is perfectly black in a majority of the animals.  However, carroty eyelids and eyeballs were also observed in a few animals. The number of animals having black-coloured hooves was noticed to be paramount. The females of black-colored vulva were more in number. These animals have straight horns as well as curved horns and black-coloured horns were more common. The outward horn curvature with pointed tips seems was favoured by the Kathani animal keepers. These animals have straight foreheads, horizontal ears and tail positions at the hock level as well as below the hock. The temperament of these animals was noticed to be moderate and docile.

Reproduction Performance:

The published information in Indian Journal of Animal Sciences, Vol. 92, Issue 10, Pages   1182–1188 the reproduction parameters showed that the mean birth weight of males was 11.91±0.18 kg, while that of females was 11.06±0.19 kg. The average age at first ejaculation and first service of Kathani breeding bull was noted as 35.84±0.31 and 39.43±0.24 months, respectively. The age at first calving was 54.86±0.05 months. An average of 1.48±0.01 services was required to settle the cows.  The service period averaged 203.02±1.08 days and the calving interval was averaged as 486.85±0.51 days.

Production performance:

Rearing of these animals for milk purposes is not a routine practice in breeding tracts. Hence, all the farmers adopted the suckling method. The average suckling period was 7.94±0.06 months and average milk production was 0.55±0.01 litres per day. The average lactation length was noted as 237.76±1.82 days with lactation milk production of 193.07±5.28 litres. The average dry period was noticed as 245.75±2.28 days. Ref: Indian Journal of Animal Sciences, Vol. 92, Issue 10, Pages 1182–1188.

Genetic differentiation of Kathani cattle from resembling breeds:  

The breeding tract of Kathani cattle is aligned with the well-known Gaolao breed from Maharashtra, Kosali from Chhattisgarh, Ongole from Andra Pradesh and Motu from Odisha. Although Kathani cattle are completely different from these breeds as far as physical appearance is concerned, the genetic differentiation, genetic diversity and relationship between these breeds were assessed with the use of 20 FAO-recommended microsatellites. High variability was recorded in the Kathani population with a total of 198 alleles that varied between 5 (ILSTS11, TGLA22, INRA05) and 17 (ILSTS34) with a mean of 9.9±0.73. The average observed heterozygosity (Ho) was 0.658±0.054. Heterozygote deficiency was not significant (FIS=0.029±0.063) indicating random mating prevalent across this population. Mean estimates of the observed number of alleles and heterozygosity over all the loci and five populations were 9.73±0.421 and 0.617±0.022, respectively. In the overall populations, the homozygote excess (FIT) of 0.293±0.032, was partly due to the homozygote excess within breeds (FIS=0.121±0.025) and to a larger extent due to high (0.05<0.15) genetic differentiation among them (FST=0.195±0.029). Substantial pairwise Nei’s genetic distance and high population differentiation indicated a separate genetic identity of Kathani cattle.

Ref: Indian Journal of Animal Sciences, Vol. 92, Issue 10, Pages 1182–1188.

It’s not often that we take a step back and reflect on how far we’ve come. But as we celebrate International Women’s Day 2025 under the theme #AccelerateAction, I felt an urge to share my story. Not because it’s extraordinary, but because it is possible—and if my journey can encourage even one woman to step forward with confidence, it’s worth sharing is what I felt.

As I reflect on my journey in the development sector, I feel a deep sense of gratitude and responsibility. It has been a journey filled with learning, challenges, and a profound commitment to making a difference in the lives of people. Being a woman in this field has been both a privilege and a testament to the resilience and dedication that women bring to the development landscape. Today, I wish to share my story, not just as a personal narrative but as a message to all aspiring women who dream of contributing to the development sector.

Finding My Calling

Joining the development sector wasn’t just a career choice for me; it was a calling. I was drawn to this field because it offered an opportunity to tackle systemic challenges and create meaningful, lasting change in people’s lives. As a young, economics student, I was deeply concerned about the causes of underdevelopment.  Over the years, I have had the opportunity to work in diverse areas such as rural development, sustainable livelihoods, climate resilience, and women’s empowerment. Each initiative I have been part of, has reinforced my belief that development is not about charity—it is about enabling people to take charge of their destinies.

Over the years, I have had the privilege of interacting with countless women in the field—tribal women preserving their food culture, women farmers battling climate change, and those carrying the weight of daily drudgery with unwavering strength. These experiences have shaped my understanding of the urgent need for equal opportunities for women, especially in rural and marginalized communities. Their stories of resilience, innovation, and perseverance have been my greatest teachers.

An area which has been close to my heart is the link between gender, food, and nutrition. Women are the primary caretakers of food security in most rural households, yet they often eat last and least. This paradox deeply troubled me, and I saw an opportunity to drive change through Indigenous Cuisine Corners, an initiative focused on preserving traditional food knowledge and ensuring nutritious, culturally relevant diets. I remember meeting a group of tribal women who were reintroducing forgotten millets into their diets. These crops, rich in nutrients and climate-resilient, had been neglected due to modernization. Through our work, we empowered these women to not only consume these nutritious foods but also become champions of indigenous food systems, advocating for their integration into local policies and markets.

I remember a project where we trained women farmers in climate-smart agriculture. At first, many were hesitant, doubting their ability to learn and lead. But with continuous encouragement, they not only mastered new techniques but also became trainers for others. Watching them grow into confident leaders reaffirmed my belief: women’s empowerment is not just about providing resources—it’s about enabling women to believe in their own potential. Stories like these reaffirm my commitment to ensuring that women are central to development initiatives.

Breaking Barriers as a Woman in Development

Like many other women in this field, I have faced my share of challenges—navigating biases, ensuring my voice is heard in decision-making spaces and balancing professional responsibilities with personal life, justifying off bit career choice to relatives. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: knowledge and confidence speak louder than any bias.

I made it a point to equip myself with the right skills, stay informed about emerging trends, and most importantly, listen—to the communities I worked with, to mentors and peers, and to my own instincts. The development sector, despite its challenges, provides immense opportunities for women to lead, innovate, and create transformative impact.

I feel women bring a unique set of skills, perspectives, and strengths that make them highly effective in the development sector. Their ability to empathize, collaborate, and drive inclusive change gives them a comparative advantage in roles that require engagement with diverse communities, problem-solving, and long-term impact creation.

Women are exceptionally well-suited for careers and leadership roles in the development sector because of their natural strengths in empathy, resilience, multi-tasking, community engagement. While both men and women contribute to this sector, women bring a unique perspective that enhances development work, particularly in grassroots initiatives, gender empowerment, and inclusive policy-making. Their ability to listen, empathize, and build trust makes them more effective in working with vulnerable groups. Working in development often requires perseverance, adaptability, and patience—qualities that many women have honed. Being able to listen, communicate, and be sensitive are crucial assets in development work and I believe women have such inherent skills

I feel as a woman development professional, I could establish deep connections and could empathize, with communities, especially among other women and marginalized groups. In many cultures, women are more approachable and relatable in grassroots development work, making them effective in mobilization efforts, participatory decision-making, and behaviour change interventions.

Women as the Architects of Development

Throughout history, women have been at the forefront of India’s development, from Savitribai Phule in education to Ela Bhatt in women’s economic empowerment. Even today, many women like Rahi Bai Popare, Seed Mother and Recipient of Padmashri Award, are leading policy frameworks, grassroots activism, and sustainable development initiatives.

Women in self-help groups (SHGs), rural enterprises, and policymaking have helped lift millions out of poverty. Their ability to listen, empathize, and build trust makes them exceptionally effective in grassroots development work. I have had the privilege of working alongside incredible women—tribal women reviving traditional food cultures, farm women battling climate change, and development professionals challenging norms to create more inclusive policies. Their stories inspire me every day.

I am glad that women continue to lead policy frameworks, corporate social responsibility (CSR), and global development initiatives. sustainable development, and digital transformation, making them the backbone of India’s development sector. Their role in SHGs, rural enterprises, and policymaking has helped lift millions out of poverty. From grassroots activism to national policy leadership, Indian women have been, and continue to be, the catalysts for sustainable development

My women colleagues in my professional career have also been a source of constant inspiration. Working alongside passionate, driven women has reinforced my belief in the power of collective leadership. Whether it’s a young development professional challenging norms or a seasoned expert mentoring the next generation, I see in them the future of an inclusive development sector.

A Message to Young Women Aspirants in the Development Sector

If you are a young woman considering a career in development, this sector needs you. Your perspectives, creativity, empathy, and resilience are invaluable in shaping the world we want to live in.

Development is not about charity—it’s about enabling people to take charge of their own destinies. It requires perseverance, adaptability, and patience—qualities that many women naturally possess.

So, step forward with confidence. Seek mentors, build networks, and never doubt your ability to make a difference. The development sector is not just a career—it’s a purpose-driven journey that transforms lives, including your own.

Let us all come together to #AccelerateAction and create a future full of possibilities.

Inbreeding which is the practice of mating animals with blood relationship, has been a practice since long with an aim to preserve desirable traits. However, this practice can threaten the health, productivity and sustainability of dairy animals. Hence, it is necessary to avoid inbreeding in dairy animals.

Genetic Diversity: 

Genetic diversity is the foundation of a healthy animal population. It provides animals the inherent capacity to adapt to changing environments and to resist diseases.

Adverse effects of Inbreeding:

• Reduction in genetic diversity: The practice of inbreeding reduces genetic diversity and increases the risk of inbreeding depression, a phenomenon whereby offsprings exhibit reduced fitness, vigour and productivity. The general rule is that each 1% increase in inbreeding coefficient (F) leads to 3-5% decrease in reproductive performance (conception rate, calving rate) and 1-2% decrease in production traits (milk yield, growth rate).
• Reproductive inefficiency: Inbreeding increases the likelihood of hereditary disorders, leading to lower conception rates and higher calf mortality.
• Productivity decline: Traits like milk yield or birth weight of calf often deteriorate in inbred populations, affecting the profitability of livestock farming.
• Increased Risk of Genetic Disorders: The probability of expressing recessive genetic disorders, increases and are manifest in the form of physical abnormalities, reduced immune response or metabolic inefficiencies, which compromise on the welfare and longevity of the animals.
• Vulnerability to Environmental Changes: Populations with limited genetic variation are less capable of coping with environmental changes such as climate variability, new diseases or shifting resource availability. This vulnerability can lead to significant loss in the productivity.
• Ethical and Welfare Considerations: Inbreeding often results in animals suffering from congenital disabilities, reduced life expectancy and chronic health problems. Ethical breeding practices prioritises the welfare of animals, ensuring they lead healthy, productive lives.

Case Studies in Dairy Cattle:

Studies have shown that a 1% increase in inbreeding level can reduce milk production by 20-30 kg per lactation. Likewise, fertility issues and calving difficulties increase significantly in inbred herds.

Percent Contribution of Inbreeding over Generations:

The percent contribution of inbreeding increases with each successive generation when closely related animals are mated. The degree of inbreeding is quantified using the inbreeding coefficient (F), which measures the probability that two alleles at a locus in an individual are inherited from a common ancestor.

• • Full siblings mating: Full siblings share approximately 50% of their genetic material. When they mate, the chances of identical alleles (genes from both parents) being inherited by the offspring increases. This leads to higher homozygosity which can amplify the expression of harmful recessive genes.
  • Parent-offspring mating: This occurs when an offspring is bred with one of its parents either sire or dam. The offspring shares 50% of its genetic material with the parent, leading to a higher likelihood of both inheriting and expressing similar genetic traits. Parent-offspring mating increases homozygosity, leading to a higher chance of harmful recessive traits being expressed. Mating of such animals leads to genetic disorders, reduced fertility, and poor health in the offspring.
  • Half-sibling mating: It involves mating two animals that share one parent common. E.g. if a sire is used to breed with multiple dams, the offspring from different dams are half-siblings. Half-siblings share approximately 25% of their genetic material, which is lower than full siblings but still substantial enough to amplify risks associated with inbreeding. Similar to other forms of inbreeding, half-sibling mating increases the likelihood of homozygosity.
  • First-cousin mating: First-cousin mating refers to the practice of breeding animals that share a pair of grandparents but have different parents. This form of inbreeding is less intense than parent-offspring or sibling mating but still falls under the category of close-relative mating. It has genetic and practical implications that must be carefully managed. In first-cousin mating, the animals being bred share about 12.5% of their genetic material since their parents are siblings.

Inbred and Outbred Populations:

Inbred and outbred populations represent opposite ends of the genetic diversity spectrum. The distinction is critical in animal breeding, conservation and genetics to understand the impact on traits such as health, productivity and adaptability.

• Inbred Population:
• Advantages:
• • Predictable traits can be attained in future generation.
  • Useful for research (laboratory animals).
  • Necessary for developing purebred lines.
• Disadvantages:
  • Reduced fitness and adaptability to changing environments.
  • Increased risk of hereditary diseases in future generations.

Outbred Population:

• Advantages:
  • Improved vigour and health in future generation due to heterosis.
  • Greater resilience to environmental changes possible due to improved vigour in future generations.
• Disadvantages:
  • Traits may vary unpredictably due to heterozygous.
  • Less control over specific genetic outcomes.

Mitigation Strategies for Inbreeding:

1. Maintaining a large Breeding Population: Larger populations reduce the likelihood of mating of closely related individuals which therefore helps in maintaining genetic diversity.
2. Crossbreeding Programme: Crossbreeding programme helps to introduce new genetic material into a population, improving performance and resilience through heterosis or hybrid vigour.
3. Use of Modern Technologies: Modern genetic technologies, such as DNA testing and pedigree analysis, allow breeders to assess genetic relationships and plan matings to minimise or to avoid inbreeding risks in future generations.
4. Monitoring and Recording Systems: Accurate record keeping helps track lineage, preventing unintended inbreeding and allowing better management of breeding programmes.

Conclusion:

While inbreeding can be useful for stabilising traits in controlled breeding programmes, its negative impact on reproduction and production performance outweigh the benefits in most cases especially in dairy animals. By maintaining genetic diversity and minimising inbreeding, livestock breeders can ensure sustainable and profitable production systems in future generations.

Food System: An important Agenda for local and global action:

Food is the most commonly discussed topic in today’s world. And why not? People across the globe are currently worried about the kind of food system we have. There is growing demand that existing food system should be transformed to make it more inclusive, nutritive, sustainable, nature positive and resilient and healthy! Similarly, such transformation should result in making food resources more accessible, available, adequate, affordable, safe, diverse and produced in a nature positive manner.

Food and nutrition security is a growing concern due to several newer and emerging challenges in the form of land fragmentation, labour scarcity, growing disconnect between agriculture and nutrition, climate change and associated challenges. Although agriculture is supporting food and nutrition security, it is also known to be contributing to GHG emissions. The challenge of feeding the ever growing number of people, still remains. COVID, Climate Change, War-like Crisis, unsustainable practices expressing nature’s boundaries, degrading base of natural resources, increasing incidences of human illnesses, health crisis and unaddressed issue of malnutrition and hidden hunger have necessitated us to urgently start reimagining our food system! It is a challenge even to reimagine a food system with scarce resources like water, healthy soils, finances, infrastructure, inputs and other support services.

World over, Food System has gained attention as an important agenda to discuss and plan actions for sustainable and healthy future of planet and people.  The countries, UN food Systems, Development and Research organizations at International, national and sub-regional levels, people’s movement and governments   are looking for best practices around food system transformations that need to be revived and upscaled.

What is Food Systems Approach?

It is aptly called ‘’System’’ as it consists of all the activities, actors and their interactions. All the actions from Farm to Fork like production, distribution, consumption, supply chain and value chain interventions from infrastructure, mechanization, governance aspects, marketing and value chain, etc. It also encompasses actors and enablers like farmers, government agencies, market players, financial institutions, insurance, FPOs, Investment players and other inputs and advisory service providers and associated socio-cultural, economic, behavioral, nutritional, environment and ecological impacts.

What are the buzz words and interesting discussion points in Food SYSTEM Dialogues:

It is very interesting to be a part of the discussions which focus on interventions one can think of while reimagining food system.

Globally, there is an urgent need to focus on agrobiodiversity for dietary diversity and healthy planet. Agrobiodiversity includes a variety of crops and livestock, which can provide a more balanced diet and help combat malnutrition. Diverse crops are more resilient to pests, diseases and changing climate conditions, ensuring stable food production even under stress.  Incorporating a variety of species can improve soil health and ecosystem stability, leading to more sustainable agricultural practices. Diverse genetic resources allow farmers to select varieties that are well-adapted to local conditions, increasing food security in different regions. Further, Agrobiodiversity can create new markets for underutilized crops, supporting local economies and improving livelihoods. What is important is not only to conserve these diverse resources along with their habitats but it is also important to conserve the traditional wisdom and  sustainable practices that are associated with these resources.

Food as our Medicine:

“Food as medicine” is both possible and increasingly recognized as a viable approach to health and wellness. A diet focused on whole, nutrient-dense foods can help prevent diseases. Many foods are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that can prevent or mitigate health issues. Certain foods, like turmeric or ginger, have anti-inflammatory properties that can support overall health.

There are many research and scientific institutions who are working on fermented foods and probiotics which can promote gut health and gut micro flora.

Foraging practices for Healthy and resilient food system:

Foraging is a practice traditionally followed by many indigenous communities. This has significant implications for traditional knowledge and food security. Foraged foods are seasonal and local in nature such as wild greens, berries, mushrooms, and nuts. They can enhance dietary diversity and provide essential nutrients that may be lacking in conventional diets. These are often rooted in traditional knowledge passed down through generations, preserving cultural identities and community ties. In times of crisis e.g. natural disasters and economic downturns, foraging can serve as a vital resource for food.

Access to Healthy food via sustainable and diversified production system:

There is growing thrust on doing away with modern, high input-based, monoculture, commercialised and chemical farming and adopting utilizing methods like agroecology, mixed and multiple cropping, organic farming that can help in reducing  environmental impact, conserve resources and maintain soil health, leading to more healthy and safe food sources. An agroecological approach to farming can significantly address both hunger and environmental issues. Agroecology promotes the cultivation of diverse crops and livestock. Practices like crop rotation, cover cropping and reduced tillage improve soil fertility and structure, leading to better water retention and reduced erosion. Agroecological practices optimize the use of local resources so that cost is reduced. Healthy agroecological systems support pollinators, improve water quality, and enhance biodiversity, contributing to the overall health of ecosystems.

Promoting local food system, local markets that are people-led:

Involving local communities in decision-making about food production can empower them and ensure that farming practices are culturally and contextually appropriate. Strengthening local food networks reduces dependency on global supply chains, making communities more resilient and ensuring fresher produce is available.

Local food markets including village haats (local markets), play a vital role in enhancing food security, ensuring seasonal and local food availability and supporting local economies. Local markets make fresh, healthy food more accessible to communities, reducing the distance that food travels and ensuring it reaches consumers quickly. Village haats provide a direct link between farmers and consumers. Further, Village haats often reflect local traditions and culinary practices, preserving cultural heritage and fostering pride in local food systems. It creates more opportunities and spaces for farm women to participate as main decision makers in food production and in sell-related activities.

Focus on role of Women in food system transformation:

In many regions, women contribute significantly to food production, often growing a diverse range of crops that enhance dietary diversity and nutrition for their families and communities. Their insights can be invaluable in transforming food systems. Women are custodians of traditional knowledge of local food systems, nutritional aspects, food traits and local recipes. Women are key educators within families and communities. At home too, they can drive better dietary choices and improve health outcomes. Women are often at the forefront of adapting to climate change impacts, using traditional knowledge and innovative practices to enhance resilience in food systems. Women play a vital role in preventing food loss and waste across various stages of the food system.

Livestock-based food options are vital for future food systems, offering nutritional diversity, economic opportunities, and sustainable practices. There is growing interest on incorporating insect protein into diet that can offer a high-protein, low-resource option. Fermented dairy products like yogurt and cheese can enhance nutrition and offer functional health benefits such as improved gut health. Developing resilient and disease-resistant livestock breeds through research can enhance productivity and sustainability in future food systems.

However, interestingly, vegetable sources that mimic or provide similar nutritional profiles to non-vegetarian foods are gaining popularity, especially among those looking for plant-based options. A lot of research and innovations are happening in this space too.

Are there any Key Lessons for India?

All the above food system-related actions are important considerations for Food System transformation in India. Further, in India, we need to keep small holder farmers, indigenous communities and farm women at the centre of any food system transformation process. As almost 84% of the farming is led by small and marginal farmers, there is growing feminization of farming and indigenous communities and tribal areas have tremendous amount of amazing food system-related traditional knowledge which needs to be relooked and revived.  

There is an urgent need to foster Food System transformation by focusing on innovations and newer research while also learning from our culture and traditions. There is also a need for effective institutions and enabling policies and programmes to facilitate such a transformation in India.

Dairy development is the cornerstone of rural livelihood, contributing significantly to the economy of the nation and the well-being of thousands of farming families. As one of the pioneering organisations in dairy cattle development in the country, BAIF has been promoting sustainable and climate-resilient dairy development through genetic improvement of indigenous cattle population. In this blog, we explore BAIF’s comprehensive approach to enhancing the productivity and resilience of indigenous breeds and their significant contribution to the dairy sector.

Importance of Indigenous Breeds

Indigenous cattle breeds in India have evolved over centuries, adapting to diverse climatic conditions, diseases and local available feed and fodder practices. They are known for their resilience, disease resistance and ability to thrive in harsh environments. However, due to the increasing preference for exotic breeds, the population of indigenous breeds has been declining. BAIF recognizes the need to conserve and improve these native breeds to ensure the sustainability of the dairy sector in India.

Genetic Improvement: A Core Strategy

At the heart of BAIF’s dairy development programme is the genetic improvement of indigenous breeds. Genetic improvement involves selecting animals with superior traits, producing frozen semen, and disseminating it through artificial insemination (AI) in the respective breeding tracts. This systematic approach not only enhances the productivity of individual animals but also contributes to the overall genetic pool of the breed, ensuring long-term sustainability.

Selection and Frozen Semen Production

BAIF’s efforts in genetic improvement begin with breed surveys and population studies which provide valuable insights into the population structures of various breeds. These studies are guided by quantitative genetic principles, enabling BAIF to identify superior animals for breeding programmes. BAIF has been involved in characterizing notable indigenous breeds such as Dangi, Khillar, Krishna Valley, and Kathani cattle. These efforts have been instrumental in conserving these breeds and ensuring their continued contribution to India’s dairy industry.

One of the key components of BAIF’s breeding programme is the production of frozen semen. BAIF operates state-of-the-art semen production facilities, accredited by the Central Monitoring Unit (CMU) of the Government of India in Jind, Haryana and the Central Research Station in Urulikanchan. These facilities produce frozen semen doses for 18 cattle breeds, including Gir, Sahiwal, Khillar, Amritmahal, Dangi, Hallikar, Tharparkar, Ongole, Krishna Valley, Gangatiri, Red Kandhari, Nimari, Red Sindhi, Rathi, Gaolao, Nagori, Deoni and Hariyana.

Artificial Insemination for superior progeny

BAIF has made effective use of Artificial insemination (AI) as a tool for disseminating superior genetics across a geographical area. By providing farmers with access to high quality semen doses, BAIF ensures that the benefits of genetic improvement are realized at the grassroots level. In the past five years, BAIF has produced over 151.87 lakh frozen semen doses from indigenous cattle breeds catering to the AI needs of field animals across the country.

Conservation of Indigenous Breeds

In addition to genetic improvement, BAIF is also committed to the conservation of indigenous breeds. Conservation efforts are essential to preserving the unique genetic traits of these breeds, in the face of changing environmental conditions and emerging diseases.

In-Situ and Ex-Situ Conservation

BAIF makes effective use of in-situ and ex-situ conservation methods to safeguard indigenous breeds. In-situ conservation involves preserving the breed in its natural habitat, while ex-situ conservation includes measures such as collection and storage of genetic material. BAIF has collaborated with the National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR) to produce and store frozen semen doses for Krishna Valley cattle. These efforts ensure that the genetic diversity of this breed is preserved for future generations. BAIF was also a part of the animal biodiversity project in which 40,000 semen doses from Khillar, Dangi, Rathi and Nagori breeds (10,000 doses of each breed) were deposited at the National Gene bank at NBAGR as a part of ex-situ conservation.

Field Performance Recording and Collaboration

To support its conservation and genetic improvement initiatives, BAIF conducts field performance recording (FPR) for various breeds. FPR involves systematically collection of data on the performance of individual animals which helps in selecting the best animals for breeding. BAIF undertook the FPR of Khillar cattle between 2010 and 2012 with the support of Maharashtra Livestock Development Board (MLDB). More recently, BAIF completed another FPR project for Khillar, Deoni, and Gaolao breeds.

Biotechnology and Genomics: The Future of Dairy Development

BAIF is adopting cutting-edge technologies to further enhance the productivity and sustainability of indigenous breeds. Biotechnology and genomics are playing an increasingly important role in BAIF’s programmes, offering new avenues for genetic improvement and conservation.

IVF and Sex-Sorted Semen

BAIF has established advanced facilities for the production of embryos through in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and sex-sorted semen. Sex-sorted semen allows farmers to increase the likelihood of producing female calves. Over the past five years, BAIF has produced 3.11 lakh sex-sorted semen doses for indigenous cattle. These innovations are empowering farmers to maximize the potential of their herds while contributing to breed conservation.

Genomics and Population Studies

In collaboration with reputed international universities like the University of New England and The French National Institute of Agricultural Research (INRA), BAIF is applying genomics to better understand indigenous population structures. Genomic tools are being used to assess genetic diversity, effective population size, breed relatedness, and genetic purity. These insights are crucial for developing breeding programmes that maintain the genetic integrity of indigenous breeds.

National Bovine Genomic Centre and Indigenous SNP Chip Development

BAIF is also a member of the National Bovine Genomic Centre (NBGC) for Gir cattle. This initiative is focused on developing genomic selection protocols that will further enhance the genetic improvement of cattle breeds. BAIF is also a consortium partner in a project to develop an indigenous single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) chip for Indian cattle. This project, in collaboration with NBAGR, NDDB, and NIAB, Hyderabad, aims to create a powerful tool for genomic selection in Indian cattle, marking a significant milestone in the genetic improvement of indigenous breeds.

Empowering Farmers and building Resilient Livelihoods

BAIF’s efforts in genetic improvement, conservation, and the application of biotechnology are not just about enhancing the productivity of cattle but also about empowering farmers and building resilient livelihoods. By providing farmers with access to superior genetics and cutting-edge technologies, BAIF is enabling them to improve their herds, increase their income, and contribute to the overall development of rural communities.

Pilot Projects and Field Implementation

One of the standout initiatives is BAIF’s pilot project on the use of biotechnology tools in livestock for sustainable development of families in the desert areas of Rajasthan. This project with its focus on Tharparkar breed of cattle, was implemented with support from the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), New Delhi. The project demonstrated how the application of advanced breeding techniques significantly improved the productivity and resilience of livestock in challenging environments.

Road Ahead: Scaling Impact and Ensuring Sustainability

BAIF continues its efforts in promoting sustainable and climate-resilient dairy development by blending traditional breeding practices with cutting-edge biotechnology.  BAIF plans to expand its genetic improvement programmes to reach more farmers and cover a larger number of indigenous breeds. It is also striving to integrate genomics into its breeding programmes, enabling even more precise selection of superior animals. BAIF is also exploring new ways to leverage technology for data collection and analysis, which will enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of its breeding and conservation efforts. Thus, BAIF is not only preserving India’s rich livestock heritage but also paving the way for a prosperous future for millions of dairy farmers across the country.

Increased anthropogenic pressure and livestock population have depleted the natural resources to an alarming extent. Land degradation accompanied by acute scarcity of water and frequent droughts, has resulted in a serious shortage of fodder for livestock. The situation which is close to a famine-like situation, has led to food insecurity and poverty forcing the rural population in such regions to migrate to other areas for survival.

Promotion of Unconventional fodder resources

There is a need to explore new fodder crops to address the issue of fodder scarcity in semi-arid regions. With 53.4 per cent of the land area in India comprising of arid and semi-arid regions, fodder cultivation is suitable for such areas.  Unconventional fodder such as cactus (Opuntia ficus indica), Hydroponic fodder and azolla have good potential to serve as alternate sources of fodder for animals.

Spineless cactus : Spineless cactus also known as Prickly pear or Cactus pear, of Mexico origin and a member of the Cactaceae family, is a domesticated plant is a reliable source of food and fodder in arid and semi-arid regions of the country. Besides fodder, cactus also has the capacity to produce good biomass throughout the year with minimum water. It is a drought tolerant multipurpose plant species, easy to establish, in rangelands and pasturelands with its ability to facilitate soil and water conservation.

Cactus, is a Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM) crop, where the stomata in the leaves remains shut during the day to reduce evapotranspiration but opens at night to collect Carbon dioxide (CO₂). The stored CO₂   is then used during photosynthesis during the day time. Due to this physiological character, it has high water use efficiency making it an excellent suitable crop species in water-stressed conditions. Cactus is rich in minerals such as calcium, magnesium, sodium, phosphorus and potassium and has moderate protein and fibre content. It has a high biomass yield, high digestibility, palatability and moisture content. It can be cultivated in poor, degraded land which is not suitable for other crops. Cactus leaf known as cladode, is a source of fodder for livestock especially during the dry season when green fodder is not available. Cactus contains more than 85% of water and can be fed with other fodder crops during dry spell conditions.

Thus cactus is an excellent fodder crop compared to other conventional fodder crops such as acacia. While this particular cactus species uses 267 kg of water per kg dry matter (DM) produced, Pearl millet, a prominent drought-tolerant cereal crop uses 400 kg water per kg DM produced.

Cactus may be planted during September-October or in February-March. It is propagated through the cutting of cladodes, using at least 6-month-old cladodes. To get a good yield of cladodes, cactus may be planted at a distance of 3 x 2 or 3 x3 m distance by erect planting, keeping one-third portion of the cladode above the soil on field bunds, wastelands and degraded lands.  Perennial cactus can produce green fodder up to 20-25 years. Cactus cladodes should be harvested by cutting the mature cladodes with a sharp knife into small pieces. While feeding the animals, it should be mixed with dry fodder in 1:3 ratio.  It prevents soil erosion, protects the biodiversity, and encourages arable crop diversification for sustainable livelihood and food security.

BAIF has standardized nursery techniques and tissue culture protocol for mass multiplication and production of cactus. Cactus nurseries have been established for availability of planting material. Protocol has been developed for feeding of cactus.

BAIF has introduced and demonstrated cactus on more than 1000 farmers’ fields in arid and semi-arid regions of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra.

Hydroponics Technology for Fodder Production

Hydroponics fodder: To ensure the availability of quality green fodder throughout the year, hydroponic fodder production technology by vertical farming is being promoted.  This low-cost technology, ensures the growth of fodder in water without any soil, in controlled conditions/environment which require almost no land, very little water and manpower. Seed, optimum water, sunlight and added nutrients are the only essential inputs required to grow as green fodder and as feed for animals after about 7-8 days. Farmers cultivating cereals such as maize, oats, barley, bajra and wheat   are making good use of hydroponics to produce superior quality nutritious green fodder for animals.

Clean, viable, good quality and untreated, unbroken grains should be used. The seeds are soaked in normal water for 4-24 hours, depending on the type of seeds followed by draining, packing soaked seed in a gunny bag for germination, sprinkling water daily over the gunny bag to maintain optimum moisture and placing the germinated seed in the individual trays for growing inside the hydroponic unit. Water needs to be sprinkled every one hour on a tray and continued till harvest. The seed rate (quantity of seeds loaded per unit surface area) also affects the yield and varies with the type of seeds. The greenhouse needs optimum cleanliness and hygiene to be maintained to ensure successful production of hydroponics fodder.

To ensure green and quality fodder, BAIF has designed low-cost hydroponic fodder units for cultivation of maize and oats.

Azolla :Azolla is an aquatic fern and contains most of the nutrients, crude protein (about 23%), minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, potassium and magnesium, vitamins A and B12 and essential amino acids like lysine required for livestock.

Among the different species of the genus Azolla, A. pinnata is more popular for cultivation in artificial ponds. Azolla prefers shade and requires light (30-50%) for photosynthesis. It grows well in warm climate with an ideal temperature in the range of 20-35°C. Azolla can survive in a water pH range of 3.5–10, but optimum growth occurs when the water is between pH 4.5 and 7.

The soil needs to be dug at least at a depth of 20 cm depth and levelled.   A plastic sheet 10 feet long and 4 feet wide needs to be placed on the ground with a durable polyvinyl chloride (PVC) sheet, to prevent water loss. The bed should be preferably under the shade of a tree or partial shade needs to be provided with grass or a green net on the top to prevent fall of debris like dried leaves and other litter on the bed.  Azolla bed 12x4x1 feet size is also available in the market.  About 10 – 15 kg of sieved fertile soil needs to be spread uniformly on the sheet followed by slurry made with 1 kg cow dung and 100 g of superphosphate.  The bed needs to be filled with water to a level of about 10 cm and the pond left aside for 2-3 days to enable the ingredients to mix well. After 10-15 days, azolla will be observed on the bed and the farmer can harvest one kg Azolla every day. After harvesting, Azolla should be cleaned with fresh water and fed to the animals by mixing with regular feed.

To make available protein-rich nutritious fodder for cattle, goats and poultry, BAIF has set up azolla demonstration units on farmers’ fields in Maharashtra, Odisha, Karnataka and Gujarat.

Thus, unconventional fodder resources are a boon for smallholders in arid and semi-arid regions with scope for livelihood security and reversal of migration.

India is an agricultural country. Irrigation is the basic requirement of agriculture. A look at the data at the global level reveals that the maximum use of water is in agriculture.

On the one side, most parts of the country have a hot climate which leads to excessive evaporation and increased consumption of water while on the other side, there is inequality of rainfall which makes it necessary to develop irrigation facilities, especially in low rainfall areas. Most of the rainfall in the country occurs in a particular season.

Drip irrigation is an advanced irrigation system which ensures the availability of water to the root of ​​the plant at short intervals through specially made plastic pipes. This system of irrigation is beneficial as there is 60 percent less consumption of water as compared to traditional irrigation, increase in productivity by 40 to 50 percent and superior quality of the produce. Drip irrigation is a very popular method of irrigation in countries such as Israel, USA and Spain.

Water can be applied with high uniformity through drip irrigation and can prevent runoff and excessive spraying. Drip irrigation is suitable for protective cultivation in greenhouses, shade nets and low tunnels. It provides controlled application of water and nutrients to each plant without wetting the leaves, which is an important feature for high-value crops such as flowers, potted plants and greenhouse vegetables. Saline and poor-quality water can be used more safely through drip irrigation as compared to any other method of irrigation. It is well suited for a variety of row crops ranging from widely-spaced fruit crops to closely-spaced vegetable crops.

Initiatives taken by BAIF

Looking at the problems of water scarcity, irregularity of water, saline water, etc. in Rajasthan, BAIF’s Samadhan project is enabling farmers to practice agriculture through drip irrigation in Udaipur, Chittor, Rajsamand, Bhilwara and Ajmer districts.  As a result, farmers are receiving higher yield and annual income. Farmers are making judicious use of drip irrigation for horticulture, vegetable production and other crop production. In horticulture, plants receive water uniformly through drip irrigation. This method of irrigation makes it very easy to produce vegetables in less water. In this, mulching paper is also used along with drip, which reduces weeds and reduces water evaporation. Hence, drip irrigation reduces weeds, saves water and saves labour in horticulture.

Benefits for farmers

Water saving: In drip irrigation system, water does not flow on the soil surface or through the air. Hence run-off losses are totally eliminated. Due to controlled flow and application of small quantity of water, deep percolation losses are also reduced to a great extent.

Improvement in plant growth and crop yield: As this method allows efficient use of small quantity of water repeatedly, it is possible to maintain the water content in the root zone of the soil close to field capacity or within acceptable deficient soil moisture. At this stage, soil moisture stress is low and the plant does not need to exert too much to extract water from the soil. It thus improves plant growth and in the process achieves higher crop yield as compared to other methods.

Labour and savings: There is considerable saving of labour, as a well-designed system requires labour only to switch the system – on or off. This method is also suitable for low to high level of automation in the application of water and fertilizer. Hence, expenditure on manual labour can be reduced to a great extent.

Energy Saving: Due to high efficiency of irrigation, less quantity of water is required and less time is taken to supply the desired quantity of water.  Thus, this method saves energy.

Weed Control: Due to partial wetting of soil in drip method, weed infestation is less as compared to other irrigation methods. This reduces the requirement of expensive and environmentally hazardous chemicals and labour required for application of these chemicals.

Increase in Fertilizer Application Efficiency: In drip irrigation system, water soluble fertilizers can be used. Since water can be accurately applied in the root zone, the fertilizer can also be applied in the root zone of the crop itself. Hence, losses of fertilizers in the process of deep percolation, leaching, runoff etc. can be eliminated to a great extent, thereby saving precious fertilizer, causing minimum hazard to the environment and reducing ground water pollution.

Zero soil erosion: Since water does not flow on the land surface, there is no soil erosion due to drip irrigation.

Minimal disease and pest problems: In drip system, minimum disease and pest problems are observed due to low atmospheric humidity.

Thus, Drip Irrigation is the key to agricultural profitability as it ensures returns on investment.