Goa Bets on Frieswal Breed to Revive Dairy Sector
The Goa government is actively promoting the Frieswal breed—a cross between Holstein Friesian and Sahiwal—to strengthen the state's declining dairy sector. Known for its superior milk yield (~3,000–4,000 litres per lactation) and adaptability to Indian climates, Frieswal is being positioned as a key solution to address low milk productivity in Goa, where the average yield per animal is significantly below the national average. The initiative includes strengthening AI services, upgrading breeding infrastructure, and linking with ICAR’s Project Directorate on Cattle.
The Goa Milk Union has also initiated pilot programs to track milk output from Frieswal cows and plans to scale up depending on performance. Given that Goa currently imports significant volumes of milk to meet demand, the success of this program could reduce dependency and stabilize local supply. This push complements national efforts under Rashtriya Gokul Mission and dovetails with NDDB's goal of improving per-animal yield across smallholder farms.
Industry Insight:
Frieswal-focused programs in Goa signal a targeted push toward high-yield but climate-resilient cattle in coastal regions. If replicated across low-production zones, this strategy could plug regional demand-supply gaps and reduce import reliance—an important trend for cooperative and private dairy planners alike.
Source : Dairynews7x7 July 11th 2025