Hyderabad, Aug 26 (UNI) Andhra Pradesh Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and Fisheries Minister Mandali Buddha Prasad today said the State Government was implementing various schemes to preserve and improve the Ongole breed of cows and bullocks.

Replying to a question by MrDachuri Rami Reddy (CPI-M) and others during the Question Hour in the Council, he said in co-ordination with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University and Animal Hubandry Department, a network project on 'Genetic improvement on Ongole breed of cattle for preservation and improvement of native Ongole Germ Plasm' was in operation with Livestock Research Station at Guntur as the main centre.

With financial assistance from the Centre, AP LivestockDevelopment Agency had procured high pedigree Ongole bulls for production of frozen semen.

It was improving Ongole breed through artificial insemination and distribution of breeding bulls for improvement of local cattle in interior and remote areas.

Though no subsidy was being given to those rearing the breed, a cash incentive was being given based on milk yield data.

UNI BR VA GM 1604