“

JK BovaGenix, an initiative of JK Trust, one of the largest NGOs working towards âÂÂCattle and Buffalo Breed Improvementâ in India, has announced the birth of IndiaâÂÂs first IVF calf. The male calf named Krishna was born on 8th Jan 2017, along with female and male calves with the frozen IVF embryos of Tharparkar breed of Rajasthan. The donor cow of Tharparkar breed and three of her IVF calves produced through frozen IVF embryos using crossbred cows as recipients (foster mothers) are in good health, a statement issued by JK BovaGenix said.

Two IVF calves, (one male and one female) from fresh IVF embryos were born on 23rd and 24th last year respectively. These calves were born at Dr Vijaypat Singhania Centre of Excellence for Assisted Reproductive in technologies in Livestock located at Gopalnagar in Chhattisgarh.

This latest development can be termed as a turning point in IndiaâÂÂs growth story that would bring in a revolution in producing genetically superior Indigenous breeds and can lead to a multifold increase in milk output, the statement added.

In line with the Government of IndiaâÂÂs Rashtriya Gokul Mission, this initiative assumes strategic significance given the pressing need for enhancing milk productivity of the various indigenous breeds. JK BovaGenix aims to establish 10,000 IVF pregnancies by the year 2020.

Speaking on this occasion, Dr Vijaypat Singhania, chairperson, JK Trust said; âÂÂJK BovaGenix is committed to bring in a revolution in producing genetically superior cattle breeds at a rapid pace, thereby enhancing the milk yield in a short period of time. This is the second initiative undertaken by JK Trust. The first initiative â âÂÂCattle and Buffalo Breed Improvement Programmeâ has been undertaken in more than 40000 villages across 10 states that has delivered phenomenal outcomes. Both these projects while supplementing each other will provide sufficient milk to the villagers, not only for sale but also for household consumption.âÂÂ

Further elaborating on this scientific breakthrough, dr shyam Zawar, chief Scientist, JK BovaGenix and CEO of JK Trust said: “The success of our clinical trials marks a milestone that signifies the beginning of the transformation of cattle scenario in India. Taking forward the governmentâÂÂs initiative of Rashtriya Gokul Mission talks are in progress with various state governments to implement a similar programme that can conserve the depleting indigenous breeds.âÂÂâÂÂ

 Incepted in 2016, JK BovaGenix has set up 2 state of the art ET-IVF labs under the name `Dr Vijapat Singhania Centre of Excellence for Assisted Reproductive Technologies in Livestockâ located at Gopalnagar in Chhattisgarh and Vadgaon-Rasai in Maharashtra. JK Trust has commenced IVF (In-Vitro Fertilization) work in Cattle at its state of the art laboratory ted at Gopalnagar near Bilaspur, in Chhattisgarh. While the Gopalnagar Lab focuses on indigenous breeds like Gir, Sahiwal, Tharparkar and Ongole, the Pune Lab focuses on breeds like Red Sindhi and Rathi in addition to the breeds maintained at Gopalnagar Lab. Till date, the JK BovaGenix has successfully established 45 IVF pregnancies, out of which 28 pregnancies are from fresh IVF embryos and 17 from frozen IVF embryos.”