What is Rashtriya Gokul Mission?
This is a flagship scheme focused on the development and conservation of India’s indigenous bovine breeds. The main goal of the mission is to boost milk production and improve productivity in a sustainable way.
Launched In: December 2014
Ministry: Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying
Funding Pattern:
The scheme is mostly run through 100% grant-in-aid, with a few specific components receiving subsidies:
- ₹5,000 subsidy is provided for each IVF pregnancy.
- A 50% subsidy is given for the cost of sex-sorted semen.
- A 50% subsidy, up to ₹2 crore, is available for setting up breed multiplication farms.
Aim of Rashtriya Gokul Mission:
- The scheme aims to improve the productivity of cattle and ensure long-term, sustainable milk production by using modern technologies.
- It encourages the use of high-quality bulls to improve breeding. Artificial Insemination (AI) services are being expanded to reach farmers right at their doorsteps.
- Additionally, the mission focuses on scientifically preserving and promoting India’s native breeds of cows and buffaloes.
Significance:
The Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM) is expected to boost the overall productivity of cattle and buffaloes across the country, especially helping small and marginal farmers. It will also be particularly beneficial for women, as they carry out more than 70% of the work in livestock farming.
Components:
key areas of focus under this scheme include:
- Ensuring the availability of high-quality breeding material (germplasm) from superior animals
- Expanding the Artificial Insemination (AI) network to reach more farmers
- Preserving and improving native cattle and buffalo breeds
- Providing training and skill development for those involved in animal husbandry
- Spreading awareness among farmers about modern breeding practices
- Promoting research, innovation, and development in bovine breeding to improve results
Implementing Agency:
The Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM) is carried out through State Implementing Agencies (SIAs), mainly the Livestock Development Boards in each state
Key Initiatives under the Mission:
- Gokul Grams:
- These are special integrated cattle development centers set up to promote indigenous breeds, including up to 40% nondescript cattle (those without a specific breed). The aim is to:
- Encourage scientific rearing and conservation of native cattlePromote use of high-quality indigenous bullsImplement modern farm management and shared resource useGenerate income by making good use of cow dung and urine
- These are special integrated cattle development centers set up to promote indigenous breeds, including up to 40% nondescript cattle (those without a specific breed). The aim is to:
- National Kamdhenu Breeding Centre (NKBC):
- A Centre of Excellence being set up to scientifically develop and preserve native cattle breeds in a well-rounded way.
- E-Pashu Haat:
- A web portal that gives information about pet cattle and facilitates the buying and selling of bovine animals—something that wasn’t available on any other platform earlier.
- Nakul Prajnan Bazaar:
- An online marketplace that connects breeders and farmers to ensure the availability of high-quality, disease-free breeding material.
- Pashu Sanjivni:
- An animal health program that provides animals with health cards (called ‘Nakul Swasthya Patra’) and assigns them a unique ID, with all information stored in a national database.
- Advanced Reproductive Technology (ART):
- This includes modern breeding techniques like IVF (In-Vitro Fertilization), MOET (Multiple Ovulation Embryo Transfer), and sex-sorted semen. These methods help in increasing the number of healthy, disease-free female animals, which is crucial for improving milk production.
- National Bovine Genomic Center for Indigenous Breeds (NBGC-IB):
- A specialized center will be set up to select high-quality breeding bulls at an early age using advanced gene-based technology. This will help in producing better-quality offspring and improving indigenous breeds.
- AHIDF Scheme (Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund):
- With a fund of ₹15,000 crore under the Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan, this scheme supports investments by individual entrepreneurs, private firms, MSMEs, Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), and Section 8 companies. The goal is to set up:
- Dairy processing and value addition units
- Meat processing and value addition units
- Animal feed manufacturing plants
This helps build strong infrastructure for animal husbandry and boosts rural incomes.
Rashtriya Gokul Mission – Important Facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name of the Scheme | Rashtriya Gokul Mission |
| Launched On | December 2014 |
| Launched By | Central Government |
| Nodal Ministry | Ministry of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries |
| Objectives | – Protect and conserve indigenous cattle breeds- Increase milk production- Reduce cattle diseases |
| Financial Outlay | ₹2,400 crore |
| Type of Funding | 100% grant-in-aid by the Central Government (with few exceptions) |
| Period of Operation | Initially 2014–17, extended from 2021 to 2026 |
| Implementing Agencies | – Livestock Development Boards- CFSPTI- CCBFs- ICAR- Universities & Colleges- NGOs- Cooperative Societies |
| Components of the Scheme | – National Program for Bovine Breeding- National Mission for Bovine Productivity |
| Main Initiatives | – Gokul Gram- Semen Stations- IVF Labs- E-Pashu Haat / Nakul Prajnan Bazaar- Pashu Sanjivani Vehicles- National Bovine Genomic Center- National Kamdhenu Breeding Centre- Kamdhenu Awards- Gopal Ratna Awards |
| Important Indigenous Breeds | – Gir/Kathiawari Cow – Gujarat- Sahiwal Cow – Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan- Hallikar Cow – Karnataka- Amritmahal Cow – Karnataka- Deoni Cow – Maharashtra- Murrah Buffalo – Haryana, Delhi- Jaffrabadi Buffalo – Gujarat |
| Exotic Cattle Breeds in India | – Jersey Cow – Jersey Island, UK- Holstein Friesian Cow – Netherlands |
FAQ
Q1. What is the Rashtriya Gokul Mission?
Ans. It is a scheme aimed at conserving and developing indigenous bovine breeds in India.
Q2. Which ministry launched Rashtriya Gokul Mission?
Ans. The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying launched the scheme.
Q3. What is the implementing agency of Rashtriya Gokul Mission?
Ans. The National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) and State Livestock Development Boards implement the scheme.
Q4. What is the aim of the Rashtriya Gokul Mission announced by the Union government?
Ans. The mission aims to promote the conservation, development, and sustainable use of indigenous bovine breeds.
Q5. What is Rashtriya Gokul Mission subsidy?
Ans. The scheme provides subsidies for setting up Gokul Grams, IVF labs, and cattle development centers to enhance breed quality.
