1.2 Contact details of resource persons and institutions involved in the assessment and documentation of the Technology

Name of project which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)

Strengthening national-level institutional and professional capacities of country Parties towards enhanced UNCCD monitoring and reporting – GEF 7 EA Umbrella II (GEF 7 UNCCD Enabling Activities_Umbrella II)

Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)

National Soil Services Centre, Department of Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture & Livestock (NSSC) - Bhutan

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

The compiler and key resource person(s) accept the conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT:

Yes

1.4 Declaration on sustainability of the described Technology

Is the Technology described here problematic with regard to land degradation, so that it cannot be declared a sustainable land management technology?

No

Comments:

The technology is not directly related to land degradation. However, it contribute to sustainable land management practices, as adoption of sexed semen technology pre-determines sex of calf in favor of female progeny (about 90% female and 10% male) that demands good management practices such as development of improved pasture, and improved dairy sheds.

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

Sexed semen technology produces gender-selected semen for artificially insemination of dairy cows. It ensures a higher proportion of female calves (more than 90%) which will ultimately contribute to the enhancement of milk production in the herd.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

The Artificial Insemination (AI) program, initiated in 1987, has helped AI evolve into a widespread practice for dairy farms across Bhutan, with increasing accessibility due to improved road and transportation networks. The surge in demand for dairy products has positioned AI technology as key in transforming dairy farms from subsistence to market-oriented production systems.
A recent addition to the programme is the use of sexed semen, meaning sorting of semen before artificial insemination. Semen sorting involves categorizing bull semen based on the X and Y chromosomes, thus granting dairy land users control over calf gender. This empowers them to engage in selective breeding, enhancing desired traits and overall quality of dairy production.
Several key activities are integral to this technology:
•Rigorous selection of bulls with desirable traits related to milk production and overall health.
•Collection and preservation of semen from selected bulls.
•Semen sorting technology to separate X and Y chromosome-bearing sperm.
•Artificial insemination of dairy cows by extension agents who use sorted semen.
The benefits are multiple because achieving a higher proportion of heifer calves helps dairy land users to enhance breeding strategies and maintain desired traits within the herd. Economic benefits follow through increased dairy production and improved cattle health.
Land users express satisfaction with the technology and its impact. However, some households report problems with conception rates after AI with sexed semen. Despite these drawbacks, the overall benefits to dairy land users and the industry outweigh the limitations.

2.3 Photos of the Technology

2.5 Country/ region/ locations where the Technology has been applied and which are covered by this assessment

2.6 Date of implementation

If precise year is not known, indicate approximate date:

• 10-50 years ago

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:

• through projects/ external interventions

Comments (type of project, etc.):

The technology was introduced by the Department of Livestock to increase the likelihood of birthing female cattle and enhance milk production across the country.

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• improve production
• reduce, prevent, restore land degradation
• preserve/ improve biodiversity
• create beneficial economic impact

• Improves dairy production

3.2 Current land use type(s) where the Technology is applied

Land use mixed within the same land unit:

No

Comments:

The land is where the manure of the dairy cattles are applied on.

3.3 Has land use changed due to the implementation of the Technology?

Has land use changed due to the implementation of the Technology?

• No (Continue with question 3.4)

3.4 Water supply

Water supply for the land on which the Technology is applied:

• mixed rainfed-irrigated

Comments:

The irrigation is mostly rainfed; however, the availability of water in the community is not an issue.

3.5 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• integrated crop-livestock management
• improved plant varieties/ animal breeds

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

Comments:

The technology was implemented to address dairy production however, it also contributed to reduced land degradation because many land users have opted for improved dairy cattle by replacing local breeds which were numerous and unproductive.

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

Specify the goal of the Technology with regard to land degradation:

• not applicable

Comments:

This technology is aimed to improve genetic of cattle breed to enhanced dairy production and reduce unproductive cattle population. However, the technology has indirect benefits on sustainable land management through the application of manures, improved housing and pasture development

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

4.2 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

Specify how costs and inputs were calculated:

• per Technology unit

other/ national currency (specify):

Ngultrum

If relevant, indicate exchange rate from USD to local currency (e.g. 1 USD = 79.9 Brazilian Real): 1 USD =:

79.62

4.3 Establishment activities

	Activity	Timing (season)
1.	Procurement of sexed semen	Based on indent or the annual requirement at National level
2.	Storage of sexed semen	After procurement until distributed to dzongkhags at Central level
3.	Transportation and Distribution of sexed semen	As per schedule, every 45 days
4.	Storage of semen	semen bank at Veterinary Hospital and AI centre on regular basis
5.	Render Artificial insemination services to farmers by AI technician	Based on request of farmers reporting on animal showing heat signs
6.	Follow up on AI services (monitoring)	18-22 days, repeat case, monthly report, ad hoc through phone call

4.4 Costs and inputs needed for establishment

	Specify input	Unit	Quantity	Costs per Unit	Total costs per input	% of costs borne by land users
Labour	Community AI Technician	person/Day	2.0	1000.0	2000.0
Equipment	Sexed semen AI	per straw	1.0	1500.0	1500.0
Equipment	golves	No	1.0	5.0	5.0
Equipment	AI sheath	No	1.0	16.0	16.0
Equipment	LN2	litre	300.0	35.0	10500.0
Equipment	LN2 container (55 litre)	No	2.0	25050.0	50100.0
Equipment	Portable AI container (5 litres)	No	1.0	11200.0	11200.0
Equipment	Water boiler (3 litres)	No	1.0	2800.0	2800.0
Equipment	Jug	No	1.0	30.0	30.0
Plant material	Funnel	No	1.0	150.0	150.0
Plant material	Towel	No	1.0	100.0	100.0
Plant material	Flexible Dip stick	No	1.0	2500.0	2500.0
Construction material	AI crates	No	1.0	45000.0	45000.0
Other	Travel	km	15.0	30.0	450.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology					126351.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology in USD					1586.93

If land user bore less than 100% of costs, indicate who covered the remaining costs:

The cost is normally covered by the Royal Government of Bhutan

Comments:

The cost is based on conducting AI for a single dairy cow

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Timing/ frequency
1.	Storage of the sex sorted semen	When the semen is procured by the extension agent and before conducting AI

4.6 Costs and inputs needed for maintenance/ recurrent activities (per year)

If land user bore less than 100% of costs, indicate who covered the remaining costs:

The cost is mostly covered by the Royal Government of Bhutan

Comments:

The only maintenance regarding this technology is the storage of the AI straw filled with sex-sorted semen in cryocan filled with liquid nitrogen. The cost is also based on a single AI straw.

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

Material cost, heat detection, distance

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

5.3 Soils

5.4 Water availability and quality

Is water salinity a problem?

No

Is flooding of the area occurring?

No

Comments and further specifications on water quality and quantity:

In accordance with the land users, the quantity of water is more than enough and the quality of the water is also very good compared to the past.

5.5 Biodiversity

Comments and further specifications on biodiversity:

Since the land user practices crop rotation and grows different types of crops throughout the year, the species diversity is high.
Less forest grazing because land users have replaced unproductive local breeds with improved breeds like Jersey, Holstein Friesian, or cross breeds.

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

5.7 Average area of land used by land users applying the Technology

5.8 Land ownership, land use rights, and water use rights

Land ownership:

• individual, titled

Land use rights:

• individual

Water use rights:

• open access (unorganized)

Are land use rights based on a traditional legal system?

Yes

Specify:

The traditional legal system in our country is as per the land act and rules and regulations which dictate the land use in the country.

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

Income and costs

Socio-cultural impacts

Ecological impacts

Biodiversity: vegetation, animals

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

6.3 Exposure and sensitivity of the Technology to gradual climate change and climate-related extremes/ disasters (as perceived by land users)

Gradual climate change

Gradual climate change

	Season	increase or decrease	How does the Technology cope with it?
annual temperature		increase	well
annual rainfall		decrease	well

Climate-related extremes (disasters)

Meteorological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
local rainstorm	well
local thunderstorm	well
local hailstorm	well

Biological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
epidemic diseases	moderately
insect/ worm infestation	moderately

Comments:

This rating is based on the cattle produced by the technology since the technology itself is not impacted greatly by the change in climate and weather.

6.4 Cost-benefit analysis

How do the benefits compare with the establishment costs (from land users’ perspective)?

Comments:

The benefits of the technology are very high. The recurrent cost of AI is very low as it is provided for free by the Royal Government of Bhutan.
The land users also get the desired sex of the cattle they want (female cattle).
The return they get from improved cattle is very high(high milk yield).

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

• > 50%

If available, quantify (no. of households and/ or area covered):

28 households

Of all those who have adopted the Technology, how many did so spontaneously, i.e. without receiving any material incentives/ payments?

• 0-10%

Comments:

The technology can only be implemented by the extension agent since the sexed semen is only procured by them and artificial insemination is also done by the extension agent.

6.6 Adaptation

Has the Technology been modified recently to adapt to changing conditions?

No

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
Produces desirable traits of offspring
Improved breed quality
Enhances dairy production
Produces female cattle
Manure from the cattle is used for revitalising the farmland.

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
It helps improve the land users livelihood by benefiting them economically.
Sexed semen technology produces desired sex cattle which also reduces the recurrent cost of doing AI again and again to get desired sex cattle.
Sexed semen technology can ultimately reduce number of unproductive cow which can reduce land degradation and reduce greenhouse gas emmission.

6.8 Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks of the Technology and ways of overcoming them

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the land user’s view	How can they be overcome?
Sometimes the cattle do not conceive even after insemination.	The possibility of a cow not conceiving after an AI is very low, but it is recommended that the land user consult with the livestock agent or conduct AI again.

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
Sexed semen technology reduces the male population, getting quality breeding bull will be difficult in future.	Allow the dairy cow to mate naturally once in their lifetime
Semen produced from the technology may become ineffective during the sorting procedure.	Follow appropriate procedures and double-check equipment.

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Guar et al. (2021). Sex Sorted Semen -Methods, Constraints and Future Perspective. Veterinary Research International, 8, 368-375.

Available from where? Costs?

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/354631046_Sex_Sorted_Semen_-Methods_Constraints_and_Future_Perspective

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Singh et al. (2019). Sexed semen technology in cattle: A revolutionary technique in Indian dairy industry. 9, 946-950

Available from where? Costs?

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/337919029_Sexed_semen_technology_in_cattle_A_revolutionary_technique_in_Indian_dairy_industry/citation/download

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Department of Animal Husbandry and Dauty. (2020). Accelerated Breed Improvement Programme -Using sex sorted semen for getting assured pregnancy. Govt. India

Available from where? Costs?

https://dahd.nic.in/sites/default/filess/Guidelines%20for%20sex%20sorted%20semen%20v3.pdf

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Butler et al. (2015). The importance of recording in establishing the value of sexed semen to dairy farmers. The Irish Agriculture and Food Development Authority

Available from where? Costs?

https://www.icar.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/A2-Butler_PPT.pdf

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Kumar et al. (2017). Sexed Semen Technology in Cattle. Indian Journal of Animal Health, 56(2), 157-168.

Available from where? Costs?

http://ijah.in/upload/snippet/145_53.pdf

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Tshering, L. & Tamang, N. B. (2018). Decades of Artificial Insemination: Bittersweet Experiences on Cattle Breeding in Bhutan. Bhutan Journal of Animal Sciences, 2(1), 1-6.

Available from where? Costs?

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/353317476_DECADES_OF_ARTIFICIAL_INSEMINATION_BITTERSWEET_EXPERIENCES_ON_CATTLE_BREEDING_IN_BHUTAN

7.3 Links to relevant online information

Title/ description:

TASHI: The First Woman Community AI Technician in the East. /Dzongkha language/

URL:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gk_iXm94ZQQ

Title/ description:

Koufouku International Limited - A Link in the Dairy Value Chain in the East

URL:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLB_3fdz3ag