“Bovine Breeding Rules Will Hurt Dairy Farmers, Create Inspector Raj” : Daljit Singh

“Bovine Breeding Rules Will Hurt Dairy Farmers, Create Inspector Raj” : Daljit Singh

 Chandigarh 8 September ( Ranjeet Singh Dhaliwal ) : The Progressive Dairy Farmers Association (PDFA) has strongly opposed the implementation of the Punjab Bovine Breeding Rules, 2021, warning that the provisions could create a shortage of artificial insemination (AI) manpower, impose impractical restrictions, increase costs and encourage an era of “Inspector Raj” and corruption. Raising the issue at a press conference at Chandigarh Press Club, Sector 27, PDFA President Daljit Singh Sadarpura said the rules could adversely affect the livelihoods of more than 30,000 dairy farmers and 12,000 organised PDFA farms across Punjab. The PDFA has also issued a warning that it will not allow this breeding policy to be implemented in Punjab in its present form. Until these objectionable provisions are withdrawn and the policy is suitably amended, the association will continue to strongly oppose its implementation. “Punjab’s dairy sector needs policies that support farmers, improve genetics and increase productivity. These rules, in their present form, instead create unnecessary restrictions, paperwork and costs for farmers,” said Sadarpura.
The association has highlighted nine major areas of concern:

1. Shortage of AI manpower and poor conception rates:

The rules restrict artificial insemination to registered veterinarians and authorised inseminators meeting prescribed training requirements. The PDFA said this does not take into account the practical nature of AI work or the seasonal demand for breeding services. Punjab’s limited veterinary and trained AI workforce may not be able to handle peak-season demand, resulting in breeding delays, poor conception rates and financial losses.

2. Educational and training barriers:

The prescribed certification, institutional training and registration requirements could exclude experienced local AI practitioners and progressive farmers who may have only formal education up to Class 10 but possess years of practical experience. The PDFA said AI is fundamentally a hands-on technical skill and should not be restricted solely through academic qualifications.

3. Impractical 50-straw limit:

The association has objected to restrictions on semen storage and possession, including the 50-straw limit. It pointed out that a farm with around 100 cows may require at least 300 semen straws annually to maintain its breeding cycle. Such a limit, it said, is out of touch with the requirements of modern dairy farms and could unnecessarily expose farmers to penal action.

4. Risks from small containers:

The PDFA has also raised concerns over rigid specifications for containers and liquid nitrogen storage. It said smaller tanks, such as 10-litre containers, can lose liquid nitrogen faster and require frequent monitoring. Any unnoticed depletion could damage expensive semen doses and disrupt the farm’s breeding schedule.

5. Unnecessary paperwork for farmers:

Mandatory recording of every straw sold or used, along with reporting requirements to banks and authorities, would impose additional clerical work on farmers and AI workers, the association said. Such data management, it argued, should be handled through the government’s veterinary and animal husbandry infrastructure.

6. Fear of “Inspector Raj”:

The PDFA strongly objected to provisions empowering authorities to declare containers illegal and confiscate or destroy material. Sadarpura said giving inspectors sweeping powers over costly breeding material could encourage harassment and corruption over minor procedural or paperwork issues.

7. High costs threatening Embryo Transfer Technology:

The association said the prescribed fees for establishing Embryo Production Centres and annual renewal charges for embryo transfer could discourage private breeders from adopting advanced genetic technologies. Instead of making such technology expensive, Punjab should encourage and support Embryo Transfer Technology (ETT) to accelerate genetic improvement in the state.

8. High semen station registration fees:

The PDFA has also opposed the proposed fee structure for semen stations, including Rs 5 lakh for facilities housing up to 50 production bulls, with additional charges beyond that capacity. According to the association, such high entry costs could discourage new infrastructure and competition, ultimately increasing the price of semen straws for farmers.

9. Roadblocks to out-of-state semen sales:

The improvement in cattle breeds achieved in Punjab has largely been made possible through the use of semen and semen straws imported from foreign countries.When semen is imported from abroad, it is permitted only after going through the detailed and stringent procedures laid down by the Department of Animal Husbandry, Government of India. The necessary licences and permits are issued only after completing these procedures, following which the semen can be imported into India.

However, the policy states that semen imported from abroad will again be reviewed by the Animal Husbandry authorities of the Punjab Government. This provision is completely unjustified. It will lead to unnecessary duplication of procedures and could also create scope for corruption. When imported semen has already undergone the complete scrutiny and approval process of the Government of India and has been legally permitted for import, there is no justification for subjecting it to another review by the Punjab Government.

Such duplication will create unnecessary hurdles and could seriously hamper ongoing breed improvement efforts in Punjab. We strongly oppose this provision.