Cabinet clears pact with Brazil on zebu cattle genomics

The Union Cabinet today approved an agreement between India and Brazil for cooperation in the fields of zebu cattle genomics and assisted reproductive technologies.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed in October 2016, will strengthen the existing friendly relations between India and Brazil.
"The Union Cabinet was apprised of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between India and Brazil for cooperation in the fields of Zebu Cattle Genomics and Assisted Reproductive Technologies," an official statement said.
The MoU will promote development of genomics and Assistant Reproductive Technologies (ARTs) in cattle through joint activities between the two countries.
An implementation committee would be created with an equal number of representatives of each party for determining the activities and developing work plans and subsequently their evaluation.

"It will be done through joint projects in the fields of productivity improvement of cattle and buffaloes, for the purpose of broadening the existing knowledge base on sustainable dairy development and institutional strengthening," the statement added.
The MoU would facilitate scientific cooperation and setting up of genomic selection programme in zebu cattle.
This would be done through application of genomics in zebu cattle and their crosses and buffaloes; application of ARTs in cattle and buffaloes; capacity building in genomics and assisted reproductive technology; and related R&D in genomics and ART.