KLDB to establish high-tech research centre for livestock innovation

In a major move to transform Kerala into a national hub for indigenous cattle breeding and attain total self-sufficiency in milk production, the Kerala Livestock Development Board (KLDB) is establishing a Centre of Excellence for Advanced Technologies in Bovine Production and Research Centre (ATBPRC) at its Kulathupuzha farm in Kollam. This high-tech facility is designed to serve as the nerve centre for livestock innovation, addressing the State’s current shortfall of approximately 5.96 lakh tonnes of milk annually.

With work already under way, the project includes the construction of modern, climate-resilient cattle sheds to house 100 elite cows, forming the foundation of a sophisticated breeding and research ecosystem.

The centre is set to revolutionize bovine breeding through several pioneering research initiatives. “A key focus is the development of indigenous sex-sorting technology using nanotechnology, a collaborative effort with IISER Thiruvananthapuram,” says R. Rajeev, managing director, KLDB.

By focussing on producing female-only calves, the centre aims to drastically reduce the birth of unproductive male calves and rapidly expand the State’s high-yielding bovine population. Additionally, the centre will spearhead the production of more efficient and cost-effective extenders for deep-frozen semen, benefiting both bovine and caprine (goat) breeding programmes across the State.

Environmental sustainability is also a core pillar of the ATBPRC’s mission. The facility will use Harit Dhara and Tamarin Plus, anti-methanogenic feed supplements developed by the ICAR. These natural, phyto-source supplements, derived from tannins and saponins, have been proven to reduce enteric methane emissions by up to 20%. By integrating these supplements into livestock feed, the centre aims to boost productivity while significantly lowering the carbon footprint of Kerala’s dairy sector, aligning with global climate goals. “Another objective is to popularise these feed supplements among dairy farmers,” adds Mr Rajeev.

As part of the project, a nucleus farm will be established at Kulathupuzha that will have a herd of 200 animals, comprising 100 elite donors and 100 disease-free recipients. By utilising sex-sorted semen exclusively for In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF), the board expects to produce 1,750 viable embryos annually. While 300 of these will support the internal recipient herd, a major portion will benefit the wider community, with 450 embryos earmarked for transfer to farmers’ doorsteps via mobile units, and 1,000 embryos to be sold to other States, positioning Kerala as a premier hub for bovine genetics.

The ATBPRC will collaborate with the University of Calgary, Canada, to facilitate high-level research exchanges and training for students and professionals. The project aims to train over 2,000 technicians and farmers in assisted reproductive technologies (ART) and modern fertility management. By providing advanced diagnostic services to address infertility, the centre seeks to increase the average daily milk production of crossbred cows from 10.79 kg to 13.5 kg by 2031, ultimately attracting a new generation of entrepreneurs to a more profitable and technology-driven dairy industry.