Lalitpur. A total of 48,856 doses of semen have been collected from 15 Murra buffaloes imported from India and distributed to the farmers in the country with the objective of improving the breed breed of buffaloes and increasing milk production.

Murrah is an advanced breed of buffalo known for high milk production. It originated in the Indian states of Punjab and Haryana. This buffalo is considered to be very profitable commercially.

Information Officer at the Department of Livestock Services, Dr Indira Sharma, said that a total of 130,424 doses of semen have been collected from the Murra buffalo received as gift from India.

He said 48,856 doses of semen have been supplied to farmers for artificial insemination. The Government of India had gifted Murrah buffaloes with high fertility in 2080 BS.

The National Livestock Breeding Office (NTOO) has collected semen from 15 Murrah buffaloes including seven in Pokhara, five in Lahan and three in Nepalgunj.

“The collection and distribution of semen from Murra buffaloes is going on continuously. Artificial insemination has led to the birth of calves. But it is not possible to draw conclusion on how much of this has affected milk production and breed improvement,” he said.

Murrah breed buffalo gives four to five thousand liters of milk in a bat. On an average, buffaloes of local breeds in different parts of Nepal give 1,500 to 1,600 liters of milk.

According to the Department of Livestock Services, with the expansion of artificial insemination technology, improved breed buffaloes will be produced, the cost of production of farmers will decrease and the livestock rearing business will become more commercial with the increase in milk production.