Ahmedabad Startup’s ₹250 Kit Detects Animal Pregnancy in 28 Days

Ahmedabad | Gujarat — A breakthrough innovation from Ahmedabad is set to transform dairy farming across India and beyond. A startup has developed a low-cost early pregnancy detection kit for cows and buffaloes that delivers results in just 5–10 minutes — nearly 70 days earlier than traditional methods — promising major savings for farmers while reducing stress and health risks for animals.

A Game-Changer for Livestock Farmers

The kit, developed by Ahmedabad-based startup Bignano Ventures, can detect pregnancy in milch animals within 28–35 days of artificial insemination using just a single drop of blood. Priced at only ₹250–₹300, the innovation has already begun reaching farmers across multiple states and even Nepal.

Founder Komal Kalantri said the idea was born from witnessing the painful traditional testing method.

“Bignano started not just with an idea, but with a heart-warming experience. When I visited a cow shelter and saw the traditional pregnancy testing method, I felt there had to be a humane alternative,” she said.

Ending Painful Traditional Methods

Currently, pregnancy testing in cattle is done 90–120 days after insemination using invasive rectal examination. The process is costly, stressful for animals and sometimes leads to abortion.

The new kit replaces the invasive procedure with a simple blood test.

“A drop of blood from the ear, tail or neck vein is placed on the kit, buffer drops are added and results appear in just ten minutes,” Kalantri explained.

The kit claims 99% accuracy and helps farmers identify unsuccessful insemination early, enabling faster rebreeding and better herd management.

Saving Time and ₹12,000 Per Animal

Early detection translates directly into economic gains. According to the startup, farmers can save ₹10,000–₹12,000 per animal by avoiding months of feeding and care for non-pregnant cattle.

“Three to four months of waiting in the traditional system wastes nearly 40% of the gestation period. Our solution gives clarity within a month,” Kalantri said.

Experts say the technology can boost milk productivity, reduce animal stress and improve overall dairy efficiency.

Government Support and Nationwide Reach

The innovation has received ₹10 lakh seed support from I-Hub under the Srijan Seed Sahay Yojana of SSIP 2.0. The startup is empanelled with Amul and has recently partnered with the Navin Jindal Group in Haryana.

Farmers in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, North-East and South India are already using the kit, while adoption has begun in Nepal as well.

Future Plans for Animal Health Diagnostics

Encouraged by early success, the startup is working on self-testing kits for livestock diseases such as Brucella, Foot and Mouth Disease and tuberculosis.

Kalantri believes the innovation aligns with national efforts to boost farmer income.

“This kit can economically empower dairy farmers while protecting animal health. It’s about creating a win-win ecosystem for farmers and livestock,” she said.