Agartala, August 25, 2025: The Animal Resources Development Department (ARDD) of Tripura has been honoured with the prestigious ‘Centre for Innovation in Public Service’ Award for pioneering the use of Artificial Insemination (AI) with Sexed Semen Technology, a step aimed at transforming the state’s dairy sector.
Receiving the award from Jammu & Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, ARDD Director Neeraj Kumar Chanchalsaid, “Tripura is the first state in the North East to adopt this technology. It helps ensure more female calf births, which are crucial for enhancing milk production and strengthening the dairy economy.”
According to the 2019 Livestock Census, Tripura had 6.16 lakh female cattle, of which only 1.18 lakh were crossbred or exotic breeds, resulting in lower milk yields. To address this, the department introduced sexed semen AI in October 2020, starting as a pilot in four districts before expanding it statewide.
The results have been striking. Between 2020 and December 2024, the state recorded 46,746 female calves bornthrough 2.58 lakh AI procedures with sexed semen — the highest in the country. AI services are now being delivered directly to farmers’ doorsteps.
Chanchal said that with increasing adoption, milk production in Tripura is projected to rise from 2.47 lakh tonnes in 2023–24 to nearly 2.96 lakh tonnes by 2026–27. This growth is expected to push the state’s per capita milk availability from 163.38 gm/day to 199.70 gm/day in the same period.
“This intervention not only boosts milk production but also ensures sustainable socio-economic growth for farmers,” the Director added.
