NATIONAL PROJECT FOR CATTLE AND BUFFALO BREEDING
(NPCBB)

National Project for Cattle and Buffalo Breeding (NPCBB) is the 100% Government of India aided Project taken up by the Government of India in the year 2000-2001 after merging three previous GOI Projects;

1. Extension of Frozen Semen Technology (EFST),

2. Progeny Testing Programme (PTP), and

3. National Bull Producion Programme (NBPP).

DURATION OF PROJECT

Originally the project spanning over 10 years was to be completed in two phases. However, due to delay in approval of the project, the activities has been decided to spill over beyond the 9th Plan and will be implemented with allocation as approved by the Planning Commission for the period beyond the 9th Plan. In effect years 2000-2001 and 2001-2002 will be the first two years of Phase -I of the Project, and the remaining activities of Phase - I will spill over into the first three years of the 10th Plan I.E. UPTO 2004-2005.

APPROVAL BY GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

Approval of Government of India for implementation of the project throughout the country; on 100% grant-in-aid basis; over a ten year period in two phases each of five years with an allocation of Rs 402.00 crore for Phase-I with the provision that fund requirements would be reviewed on annual basis as the scheme progresses; implementation in first two years of Phase-I during the 9th Plan with an allocation of Rs 44.00 crore during 2000 -2001 and Rs 135.05 crore during 2001-2002 and continuation of spill over activities of Phase-I during 10th Plan; has since been obtained. Administrative Approval for the scheme has been issued vide this Department's O.M. No. 45-4(I)/98-LDT dated 18th October, 2000.

OBJECTIVE

The Project envisages 100% grant-in-aid to implementing agencies to achieve the following objectives:

1. To arrange delivery of a vastly improved artificial insemination service at the farmers' door-step;

2. To progressively bring all breedable females among cattle and buffalo, under organized breeding through artificial insemination or Natural Service by high quality bulls, within a period of ten years;

3. To undertake breed improvement programme for indigenous cattle and buffalo breeds so as to improve their genetic qualities as well as their availability; and

4. To provide quality breeding inputs in breeding tract of important indigenous breeds so as to prevent the breeds from deterioration and extinction.

PROJECT COMPONENTS

1. Streamlining storage and supply of liquid nitrogen: This is proposed to be accomplished by sourcing supply from industrial gas manufacturers and setting up infrastructure for bulk transport and bulk storage.

2. Introduction of quality bulls with high genetic merit: This is proposed to be accomplished through field recording programmes by selected dairy cooperatives, breeders' associations and other suitable agencies; re-organization and intensification of progeny testing programmes , and setting up of Open Nucleus Breeding Systems (ONBS).

3. Promotion of private mobile AI practice for door-step delivery of AI services: This is proposed to be accomplished through training in AI practice; support for acquisition of equipment; stipend during initial practice period and; provision for regular supply of frozen semen and liquid nitrogen at production cost.

4. Conversion of existing stationary Government AI centers to mobile practices: This is proposed to be achieved by providing portable liquid nitrogen containers; supply of quality genetic inputs and authorizing private practice at farmer's doorstep to provide more effective and timely AI service to bovines.

5. Quality control of goods and services at sperm stations, semen banks and training institutions: This is proposed to be achieved by appropriate strengthening of these institutions, laying down standards for bulls/semen and establishment of a computer network for close monitoring.

6. Study of breeding systems in areas out of reach of AI: This will be necessary not only to create an understanding of the systems in vogue and farmers' preferences, but also to bring about systematic improvement in these areas in far larger number of uncovered animals than those presently covered under AI. Many of the owners of good specimens of indigenous breeds in breeding tracts do not accept AI for breeding their animals and resort to natural mating. It will be necessary to provide them access to good quality breeding bulls to avoid degeneration of their stock.

7. Institutional restructuring: It will be necessary to (a) incorporate/nominate specialized autonomous and professional State Implementing Agencies for managing production and supply of genetic inputs and liquid nitrogen on a sustained basis, by building professionalism in breeding operations which is highly lacking today; and (b) set up a specialized National Body to: (i) provide technical backstopping to the project, (ii) network with scientific institutions , ICAR Institutes and State Agricultural Universities, (iii) operate a national semen grid for identifying and transferring semen to manage optimal use of genetic inputs, (iv) evolve and operationalise national standards for semen production and (v) bring about improvement of our indigenous breeds, whose tracts runs across States, a task highly neglected so far.

OTHER ALLIED ACTIVITIES:

Pre-project survey, project preparation and appraisal as well as rapid computerization of sperm stations, farms, field performance recording units etc. will also be covered under the Project.

NPCBB IN WEST BENGAL

Department of Animal Resources Development, Government of West Bengal has constituted 'Paschim Banga Go-Sampad Bikash Sanstha', the State Implementing Agency, vide their No 664-AR & AH, Dated, 18-03-2002, as per guide line of Government of India, in due course after submission of the project on National Project for Cattle & Buffalo Breeding (NPCBB) - West Bengal to the Government of India for sanction. The registration No. of the Sanstha is S/10/7661 of 2002-2003 under W. B. Societies Registration Act.

Paschim Banga Go-Sampad Bikash Sanstha (PBGSBS) is now working in the premises of the office of the World Food Program, Project - 618, 55-B, Mirza Ghalib Street, 5th Floor, Kolkata - 700 016 with its registered office at New Secretariat Buildings, 3rd floor, 1, Kiran Sankar Roy Road, Kolkata - 700 001. Arrangement for a separate office premises at Kolkata is under construction.

Government of India sanctioned Rs. 6.7702 crores for the 1st year i.e. the year 2001-2002, of the Project under the following items vide their No. 6-21/2001/AH (NPCBB) dated. 14.2.2002. In accordance with the instruction issued by the Government of India detailed Micro-Plan of the work to be carried was submitted to the Secretary, Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India vide letter number 648/ PBGSBS/ 03, dated: 20th May 2003. The plan included the entire physical and financial details for the work to be carried out as per schedule. However, as desired by Government of India a Revised Micro-Plan is also prepared for submission of the same on 29th January, 2004.

The Project carries a total coverage of breedable cattle and buffalo under the umbrella of the Paschim Banga Go-Sampad Bikash Sanstha (PBGSBS).

The following programs have been undertaken during the Project period:

1. Strengthening of existing AI Centers.

2. Establishment of new mobile AI Centers.

3. Training to mobile AI Workers, professionals, supervisors, farmers etc.

4. Strengthening of existing Bull Stations/ Semen Collection Centers,

5. Uninterrupted supply of Frozen Semen and liquid nitrogen from captive sources and other sources,

6. Research inputs and human resource development,

7. Door step delivery of AI services,

8. Significant amount of employment generation,

9. Improvement of employment generation,

10. Institutional restructuring,

11. Extension, Mass campaign,

12. Improve coverage of bovine population under organized breeding Program, with a target of covering all breedable population in 5th Year.

13. Introduce quality control of services and inputs,

14. Utilize available infrastructure to its optimum capacity and strengthen the existing infrastructure,

15. Introduce recording and progeny testing programs for indigenous cattle, crossbreed cattle and buffalo,

16. The Sanstha will also responsible for implementation of State Government policies and technical support related to livestock.

The State Government also laid more importance about filling up of critical gaps in requirement of essential infrastructures in cattle breeding, covering economically backward areas like North Bengal and putting thrust in such areas where infrastructure for collection and processing of milk exists i.e. areas around dairy factory, chilling plants etc.

1. As per decision of the State Government and also as per direction of GOI, a State Implementing Agency was formed in March 2002. The name of the SIA is Paschim Banga Go-Sampad Bikash Sanstha. The President of the Sanstha is the Hon'ble Minister-In-Charge, Animal Resources Development Department and the Chairman is the Secretary to the Government of West Bengal, Animal Resources Development Department. In fact, the first Cheque, bearing amount of Rs. 677.02 Lakh was issued by the GOI in favour of this Sanstha.

2. The Three Frozen Semen Bull Stations have been strengthened up to the required capacity.

3. One new Training Center is under construction and five other training centers have been strengthened.

4. Bulk storage facilities have been facilitated in almost all the districts to ensure supply of liquid nitrogen in time.

5. AI facilities have been extended to the doorstep of farmers in each Gram Panchayat of this State. The private AI workers for this purpose have been trained and engaged in their parent Gram Panchayat to ensure 24 hours AI facility throughout the year. They are called as PRANIBANDHU. They are also performing, in addition to AI, primary animal health care, vaccination of livestock and bird, fodder development programme and other animal husbandry activities against a nominal fees basis. thus introduction of PRANIBANDHU has boosted to some extend in employment generation in this State. Already, about 2200 such PRANIBANDHU are working in the Gram Panchayat area. GOI has funded only 750 such private AI workers and the rest are funded by the State Government from their own resources.

Government of West Bengal has given a remarkable importance over implementation of the Project in the State through the present three-tier Panchayat system, i.e. Zilla Parishad in district level, Panchayat Samity in block level and Gram Panchayat in Village level. An administrative committee has been formed in each tier headed by the Savadhipati and District Magistrate in district level, Savapati and Block Development Officer in block level and Panchayat Pradhan in Gram Panchayat level. Animal Resources Development Department in West Bengal has already deployed respective Officers and staffs in each tier who are working under this Sanstha in addition to their normal duties.

The Government of West Bengal has duly handed over the following assets to this Sanstha under lease system.

LIST OF ASSETS TRANSFERRED FROM DTE.OF AR & AH, WB TO SIA

The SIA is functioning with its available manpower and assets since 1st June 2002 and the functioning of the SIA has been inaugurated by Hon'ble Chief Minister of the State in a State level seminar held in Kolkata.

As per the decision of State Government, the Sanstha has been set up with the existing manpower of the Animal Resources Development Department and no posts have been created for this Project.

It has also been decided by the State Government that the recurring expenditure for running the Project in the State will be borne out of the State budget. Accordingly, State Government has released a total of Rs. 419.00 Lakh in 2001-02 and 2002-03.