India Gifts 43 Pureline Jersey Cows to Bhutan to Strengthen Dairy Sector and Improve Milk Productivity

India and Bhutan have taken another practical step toward strengthening agricultural and rural cooperation. During his visit to Bhutan, India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar handed over 43 pureline Jersey cows to Bhutan’s National Cattle Breeding Centre in Bumthang on September 16, 2026.

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The cattle are being provided for Bhutan’s dairy cattle breeding programme, with the objective of improving milk productivity, strengthening dairy genetics, and supporting local farmers. According to Jaishankar, the breeding programme at the centre is expected to benefit around 40,000 farmers.

Why Did India Give 43 Jersey Cows to Bhutan?

The initiative is more than a livestock transfer. The 43 pureline Jersey cows are intended to become part of Bhutan’s structured dairy breeding programme.

The main objectives include:

• Improving the genetic quality of dairy cattle
• Increasing milk productivity
• Supporting Bhutanese dairy farmers
• Expanding access to improved breeding resources
• Strengthening the country's domestic dairy production

Jersey cattle are widely used in dairy production because of their milk-producing characteristics and their suitability for different production systems. Introducing improved breeding stock can help build a stronger dairy herd when supported by appropriate nutrition, animal healthcare, breeding management and farm practices.

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How Can Pureline Jersey Cows Improve Dairy Production?

Genetics play an important role in dairy productivity. Selecting suitable breeding animals can gradually improve traits such as milk production and herd performance.

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However, better genetics alone do not guarantee higher milk production. The results of a breeding programme also depend on:

• Quality and availability of feed
• Animal health and veterinary services
• Proper breeding management
• Housing and cow comfort
• Clean drinking water
• Climate and local environmental conditions
• Farmer training and farm management

For Bhutan, the introduction of pureline Jersey cattle provides additional genetic resources that can be incorporated into its existing dairy development efforts.

Potential Benefits for Bhutanese Dairy Farmers

The long-term value of the initiative lies in its potential to extend improved genetics beyond the initial 43 animals.

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As breeding programmes develop, improved cattle genetics can become available to a wider farming community. The National Cattle Breeding Centre's programme is expected to benefit approximately 40,000 farmers, according to the Indian External Affairs Minister.

For small and medium dairy farmers, improved productivity can potentially mean more milk from better-performing animals, provided the animals receive appropriate feed, healthcare and management.

A stronger domestic dairy sector can also contribute to rural livelihoods and the availability of locally produced milk and dairy products.

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India-Bhutan Agricultural Cooperation

The Jersey cow initiative highlights how India-Bhutan cooperation extends beyond conventional areas such as trade and infrastructure into agriculture, livestock development and rural livelihoods.

The handover took place during Jaishankar's September 16–17, 2026 visit to Bhutan. During the visit, India and Bhutan also reviewed cooperation across areas including development, energy, trade, connectivity, culture and healthcare.

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Livestock breeding is particularly relevant because improvements in cattle genetics can have a multiplier effect: breeding animals can contribute to future generations of dairy cattle rather than providing a one-time increase in livestock numbers.

Why Jersey Cattle Are Important for Modern Dairy Farming

Jersey cattle are recognized internationally as an important dairy breed. Their use in breeding programmes can provide farmers with access to desirable dairy genetics.

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For modern dairy farming, however, productivity increasingly depends on combining genetics with technology and management.

Modern dairy farms can improve herd performance through:

• Automated or efficient milking systems
• Proper cow comfort solutions
• Scientific feeding programmes
• Herd management software
• Animal identification and tracking
• Milk yield monitoring
• Comfortable flooring and cow mats
• Adequate ventilation
• Clean and easily accessible drinking water
• Preventive animal healthcare

This integrated approach is particularly important when introducing higher-performing dairy genetics into a farming system.

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What This Means for Bhutan's Dairy Future

The transfer of 43 pureline Jersey cows represents an investment in breeding capacity rather than simply increasing the number of cattle.

If combined with effective breeding management, nutrition, veterinary support and farmer training, improved dairy genetics can contribute to stronger herd performance over time.

The expected reach of around 40,000 farmers also demonstrates the broader ambition of the programme. Rather than limiting the benefits to one breeding centre, the objective is to make improved cattle genetics useful to a much larger farming community.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Jersey cows did India give to Bhutan?

India handed over 43 pureline Jersey cows to Bhutan on September 16, 2026.

Where were the Jersey cows handed over?

The cattle were handed over at Bhutan's National Cattle Breeding Centre in Bumthang.

Why did India give Jersey cows to Bhutan?

The cows were provided for Bhutan's dairy cattle breeding programme to help enhance milk productivity and support local farmers.

How many farmers could benefit from the breeding programme?

According to S. Jaishankar, the breeding programme at the National Cattle Breeding Centre is expected to benefit approximately 40,000 farmers.

Can Jersey cows alone increase milk production?

Not necessarily. Genetic potential is only one factor. Milk productivity also depends on nutrition, animal health, breeding management, housing, cow comfort and overall farm management.

Conclusion

India's handover of 43 pureline Jersey cows to Bhutan demonstrates how livestock genetics can become an important part of agricultural cooperation. The cattle will support Bhutan's dairy breeding programme, with the stated goals of improving milk productivity and supporting farmers.

The initiative also highlights an important principle of modern dairy farming: genetics, technology, nutrition, animal health and farm management need to work together to achieve sustainable improvements in milk production.

As Bhutan continues developing its dairy sector, improved breeding resources combined with better dairy infrastructure and farmer support could play an important role in strengthening the country's milk production ecosystem.

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