India’s First Banni Buffalo IVF Calf

In News 

• India saw the birth of its first IVF calf of a Buffalo breed namely Banni in Gujarat’s Kutch region.
  • The process was carried out to enhance the number of genetically superior buffaloes to increase milk production.

Key Points: Banni Buffalo

• This breed of buffaloes is usually bred and preserved by a local community found in Kutch, called the ‘Maldharis‘.
• Significance:
  • Banni Buffaloes has higher milk production potentials and is also more disease resilient when compared to other common breeds.
  • They are also well-adapted to survive extreme weather conditions such as water scarcity, frequent droughts, low humidity and high temperatures.
  • Banni buffaloes are trained to graze on Banni grassland during night and brought to the villages in the morning for milking.

• Banni buffaloes are also known as “Kutchi” or “Kundi”.

Source  PIB