To increase genetic diversity of cattle Regulatory authority planned THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The State cattle breeding policy, announced by Kerala Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan here on Monday, proposes more attention to improvement of the genetic stock of cattle in Kasaragod, Kannur, Wayanad, Malappuram, Idukki and Palakkad districts. This is in view of the backwardness of these districts in artificial insemination and other breeding activities. The policy proposes that the foreign hereditary factor in crossbred cattle in the State should be kept at 50 per cent. Only Jersey and Holstein Friesian genera should be used to sire crossbred cattle in the State. The farmer will have the freedom to choose the semen on the basis of foreign bull sires. The policy says that semen from pure Holstein Friesian genus should be made available for cows covered under the Ksheeradhara and Gorekha projects and cows belonging to dairy farms and farmers with sufficient resources under supervision. The recording of field performance of cattle under the progeny testing scheme should be extended to more areas. Premium bull semen should be made available for cows included in the Gorekha project. New dairy farms being set up on an industrial or quasi-industrial basis should be given technical assistance and high-quality breeding equipment. Steps should be taken for increasing the genetic diversity of cattle in the State. Use of embryo transfer technology should be emphasised for breeding of bull sires. The policy recommends that cows belonging to the Sundandini breed that show lower milk production and delayed first pregnancy be eliminated at the rate of 2 per cent and one per cent respectively. Steps for protection of indigenous genera of cattle be strengthened. The policy proposes a State-level regulatory authority with statutory powers to oversee implementation of the breeding policy, quality assurance, certification and licensing of experts in artificial insemination.