Summary:
Ahmedabad, Oct 23 (PTI) A first IVF calf of "Banni" breed of buffaloes, found primarily in Gujarat"s Kutch region, was born at a farmer"s house in the state"s Gir Somnath district, an official said on Saturday.
The process was carried out to enhance the number of genetically superior buffaloes to increase milk production, the official said.
Banni buffalo is known for its resilience and higher milk producing capacity in an arid environment.
A "Banni" buffalo belonging to a dairy farmer from Dhanej village in Gir Somnath gave birth to an IVF male calf, in what the Union Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying called the birth of the first calf of the breed born using in-vitro fertilisation (IVF).
"Happy to share the good news of the birth of the first #IVF calf of Buffalo breed namely - #BANNI in the country.
This is the first #IVF_Banni_calf born out of 6 Banni IVF pregnancies established at the door steps of the farmer Vinay L Vala of Sushila Agro farms," the ministry tweeted on Friday.