Rashtriya Gokul Mission

Laying the foundation stone of a ‘Gokul Gram’ for conservation and development of native cattle breeds in Mathura on September 26, Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh said that 14 such ‘Grams’ (villages) would be established across the country as part of the ‘Rashtriya Gokul Mission’.

The Mission, a new initiative under National Programme for Bovine Breeding and Dairy Development, has been launched for the first time in the country, with an allocation of Rs 500 crore.

Under the Mission, 35 Bull Mother Farms will be modernised with investment of more funds and 3,629 bulls have been inducted for genetic upgradation. Since 2007-08 to 2013-14, a meagre amount of only Rs 45 crore was spent for the development of indigenous breeds.

The current government has so far approved 35 projects from 27 States and sanctioned Rs 582.09 crore. Two National Kamdhenu Breeding Centre, one in northern region-Madhya Pradesh and other in Southern region- Andhra Pradesh, are being established with an allocation of Rs 50 crore.

In addition, an animal Wellness Programme encompassing provision of animal health cards (Nakul Swasthya Patra) along with UID identification of animals in milk and a national data base has been taken up.

Under the scheme 8.5 crore animals in milk will be identified using UID and their data will uploaded in the INAPH data base. This will play crucial role in control of spread of animal diseases and lead to increase in trade of livestock and livestock products.

Assisted Reproductive Technique is being used to improve availability of disease free female bovines through of sex sorted semen technology. 50 embryo transfer technology labs and In Vitro Fertilization labs care have been envisaged. In order to increase milk production and productivity of indigenous cattle, a National Bovine Genomic Centre will be established for identification of disease-free high genetic merit bulls.

At present there is no authentic market for bovine germplasm in the form of semen, embryos, male & female calves; heifers and adult bovines. Farmers depend on middlemen for sale and purchase of quality germplasm.

Breed-wise information on availability of bovine germplasm is not available which is essential for promotion of indigenous bovine breeds. For this purpose, E Pashudhan Haat portal has been developed to connect breeders and farmers of indigenous breeds.