Photo: Narendra Modi, via Wikimedia Commons
The Banaskantha bovine breeding centre opened on 30 October 2026, bringing indigenous breeds and dairy technology into focus. For related updates, visit CBL’s economy current affairs hub.
Quick answer: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Banaskantha bovine breeding centre at Bhildi, Gujarat, on 30 October 2026. Built by Banas Dairy at ₹325 crore, the 127-acre facility aims to improve indigenous breeds and milk production. It targets 25,000 high-quality embryos annually and plans to provide breeding services to farmers.
What is the Banaskantha bovine breeding centre?
The centre is a breeding and research facility for improving indigenous bovine breeds and milk production. Its official name is the Bharat Bovine Breeding and Research Centre.
Banas Dairy established the facility with technical guidance from the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB). In addition, the Union government’s Rashtriya Gokul Mission supported the project.
| Feature | Fact |
|---|---|
| Location | Bhildi, Banaskantha district, Gujarat |
| Inauguration | 30 October 2026, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi |
| Established by | Banas Dairy |
| Technical guidance | NDDB |
| Mission support | Rashtriya Gokul Mission |
| Annual embryo target | 25,000 high-quality embryos |
Which breeds will the centre focus on?
The facility will work with four named indigenous cow breeds and four buffalo breeds. Therefore, aspirants should distinguish the two groups in breed-based questions.
| Animal | Breeds named |
|---|---|
| Cow | Kankrej, Gir, Sahiwal and Tharparkar |
| Buffalo | Mehsani, Banni, Jaffrabadi and Murrah |
The list covers both cattle and buffaloes; consequently, the word ‘bovine’ should not be treated as synonymous with cows alone.
Which breeding techniques will it use?
The Banaskantha bovine breeding centre will use in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) and embryo transfer. IVF involves fertilisation outside an animal’s body; embryo transfer places an embryo in a recipient animal.
The centre also plans to offer high-quality semen, embryos and breeding services at affordable rates. Its 25,000-embryo figure is an annual target, not an achieved output.
Why does the centre matter?
The project aims to help dairy farmers obtain higher milk yields from fewer animals. This goal matters because cattle maintenance costs are rising and fodder availability is shrinking, according to the source.
For the constitutional context, Article 48 directs the state to organise agriculture and animal husbandry on modern and scientific lines. It also calls for steps to preserve and improve breeds.
Source: The Hindu, 30 October 2026
Asked in State PCS: Previous Year Questions
- Haryana HCS Prelims 2024 (General Studies): How many pairs are correctly matched: weaker sections’ educational and economic interests—Article 45; Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes’ interests—Article 46; agriculture and animal husbandry—Article 47?
State PCS examinations can connect animal husbandry with Directive Principles; therefore, revise the relevant article numbers.
Punjab PCS and Haryana HCS may test indigenous breeds, breeding techniques and Article 48. Therefore, distinguish cow breeds from buffalo breeds and targets from completed outputs.
Prelims Practice Corner
Mains Practice Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the bovine breeding centre located?
It is at Bhildi in Gujarat’s Banaskantha district. The facility also covers 127 acres.
Who established the breeding centre?
Banas Dairy established it. In addition, NDDB provided technical guidance and the Rashtriya Gokul Mission supported it.
What is the centre’s annual embryo target?
The target is 25,000 high-quality embryos annually. However, this is a planned output, not a recorded achievement.
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