KLDB to commission Livestock Research Center at Mattupetty

Cattle at the KLDB center at Mattuppetty near Munnar in Idukki Photo Credit: Sandeep Vellaram

The Kerala Livestock Development Board (KLDB) is set to set up a Center for the Advancement of Livestock Productivity and Research (CALPR) at Mattupetta near Munnar in Idukki. Officials said the facility is a key step to ensure the long-term growth and sustainability of the state’s livestock sector. Animal Husbandry and Dairy Development Minister Bindu Krishna will inaugurate the center at 11 am on Monday (November 9).

Officials said the facility aims to promote advanced research and genetic advancement, build institutional research collaborations, facilitate training and knowledge exchange, conduct feed development research, modernize infrastructure, increase farmers’ income and profitability by reducing milk production costs, and promote scientific livestock management practices.

The official noted that the center will prioritize genomic selection, embryo transfer technologies, in vitro fertilization (IVF) and modern reproductive techniques suitable for Kerala’s climatic and agro-ecological conditions. In addition to offering research and training facilities to farmers, scientists, researchers, professionals, entrepreneurs and start-ups, joint research initiatives will be launched in collaboration with national and international institutions.

Given the state’s land restrictions, officials emphasized that CALPR will place a high priority on developing high-yielding forage varieties and advancing innovative agronomic practices. The center will also provide specialized training and research opportunities for women, Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities, rural tribal farmers and economically disadvantaged groups.

Herd management software

The Minister will also launch the newly developed Herd Management Software (HMS) for KLDB. Officials pointed out that the council currently relies on a Livestock Management Software (LMS) system developed around 25 years ago. The new system will enable officials to digitally record, track and manage comprehensive data on all cattle on all KLDB farms in real time.

In addition, the Minister will initiate the nationwide rollout of Ovum Pick-Up–In Vitro Fertilization/Embryo Transfer (OPU-IVF/ET) technology, making it available to dairy farmers at the lowest prices in the country. Officials noted that making this advanced biotechnology available across the state will revive the dairy sector, accelerate the government’s goal of achieving self-sufficiency in milk production and strengthen the ‘Puthuyuga Ksheera Keralam’ mission.

Published – 07 Nov 2026 20:55 IST