Augmenting milk production in cattle

converging conventional and advanced technologies

Abstract

The dairy sector is a cornerstone of global food security, providing essential nutrition and livelihoods for millions, particularly in rural economies such as India. Despite steady growth in milk production, the sector faces persistent challenges, including genetic limitations of indigenous cattle, disease prevalence, suboptimal feed quality, and inadequate infrastructure. Traditional approaches-such as selective breeding, nutritional optimization, and vaccinationhave historically improved productivity but are insufficient to overcome the complex, multifaceted constraints limiting further gains. Recent advances in biotechnology, including artificial insemination, in vitro fertilization, embryo transfer, sexed semen, genomic selection, and CRISPR-based genome editing, offer transformative potential for accelerating genetic improvement, enhancing disease resistance, and increasing environmental resilience. This review examines the convergence of conventional and advanced technologies, highlighting how their integration can drive rapid genetic progress, optimize resource use, and improve animal welfare. By synthesizing established practices with cutting-edge innovations, the dairy sector can sustainably augment milk production, strengthen resilience to climate change, and meet the rising global demand for high-quality dairy products. The synergistic application of these technologies is essential for building a robust, efficient, and future-ready dairy industry.