Role of Technology in Reducing Losses in Dairy Animals Due to Delayed Conception: A Case of “ICAR-IVRI Crystoscope”

Background: In field situations often failure to breed timely leads to delay in conception causing significant losses to the dairy farmers. ICAR-IVRI, Izatnagar has developed ‘ICAR-IVRI Crystoscope’ for detection of right-time for breeding.In Indian context, literature on reproduction economics, documenting the costs delayed conception, is scant. Further, in spite of the potential inherent in the above-mentioned technology, no systematic attempt has been made to ascertain its economic impact. The present study assessed the economic impact of use of ‘ICAR-IVRI Crystoscope’ in terms of losses avoided in dairy animals. Methods: The study is based on field survey covering 628 cattle from sample 117 households, selected from Jammu region of Jammu and Kashmir state of India. The approach to identifying incidence of delayed conception comprised interview with Para-veterinarians/Inseminators by visiting each case of delayed conception with them; crosschecking with the records kept by the Para-veterinarians/Inseminators and validation by holding focused group discussions with Government Veterinary Officers, Para-veterinarians, inseminators and the farmers. Primary data were collected through personal interview of head of sample households with the help of a well-structured, comprehensive and pretested interview schedule. Result: Overall incidence of delayed conception, due to failure to detect optimum breeding time, ranged between 22-29%. Average number of services required per conception and days delayed in conception were less in treatment villages than in control ones. The study revealed that one extra day delayed in conception increases the total loss per animal due to delayed conception by INR 138.0, while use of ‘ICAR-IVRI Crystoscope’, reduces loss due to delayed conception per animal by INR 2965.55. The study thus provides definite indications that use of the technology has significant impact on reduction in total loss due to delayed conception on account of failure to detect optimum breeding time.