June 23: With the demand for jersey breeding bulls increasing, the National Jersey Breeding Centre in Samtse has not been able to meet the demand from the farmers. The farm supplies jersey breeding bulls to other dzongkhags.

This is the National Jersey Breeding Centre in Samtse. It was set up in the early 1960’s. The farm produces pure breed Jersey bulls and distributes them to other dzongkhags. However with the increasing demand for jersey bulls, the farm has not been able to keep up with the demands from the farmers.

The Farm Manager, Tashi Dendup, said to meet the increasing demand, a scheme called contract bull breeding programme was initiated in 1995. Under the programme farmers are given the responsibility of producing jersey breeding bulls with technical support from the government. The manager said despite the effort it has still not been able to meet the demand.

Currently there are four contract bull breeding programmes in the country. They are in Paro, Thimphu, Samdrup Jongkhar and Monggar. The farm manager said that there are plans to set up additional contract bull breeding programmes in other areas. The centre spreads over an area of 308 acres which includes improved pastures and annual crop cultivation.