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Rashtriya Gokul Mission, History, Objectives, Benefits

20-12-2024

12:20 PM

Rashtriya Gokul Mission was launched by the Central Government in December 2014 with an aim to promote rearing of indigenous cattle and conservation in an organised scientific manner. The National Programme for Bovine Breeding and Dairy Development is responsible for implementing the scheme. In 2021, the Rashtriya Gokul Mission was merged with the Rashtriya Pushudhan Vikas Yojana as an umbrella scheme with a budget outlay of Rs. 2400 Crore. The nodal ministry to manage this scheme is the Ministry of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries. 

Rashtriya Gokul Mission Overview

Rashtriya Gokul Mission was launched with the focus on conservation and development of indigenous bovine breeds. According to the livestock census, livestock cattle rate has been declining significantly and in order to tackle the same situation this scheme was launched. Under the scheme the goal is to increase milk production and productivity of bovines thus addressing the problems of making dairy farming lucrative for rural farmers and fulfilling the rising demand of milk. With a budget outlay of Rs.2400 crore the scheme is expected to increase the productivity of all cattles and buffaloes all over India, especially for rural and marginal farmers. Rashtriya Gokul Mission is expected to be advantageous for women for they are contributing 70% to the labour force in this sector. 

Rashtriya Gokul Mission – Important Facts

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

Objective

  • To Protect and Conserve Indigenous Breeds of cattle.
  • To increase milk production in the country.
  • To reduce the burden of diseases among cattle.

Financial outlay 

Rs. 2400 crore

Type of Funding 

100% grant-in-aid by the Central Government with few exceptions.

Period of Operation

Initially 2014 – 17.

Later, extended from 2021 to 2026

Implementing Agencies

  • Livestock Development Boards
  • CFSPTI
  • CCBFs
  • ICAR
  • Universities, Colleges
  • NGO’s
  • Cooperative Societies

Components of the Scheme

  • National program for bovine breeding
  • National mission for bovine productivity

Main Initiatives under this mission

  • 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 award

Important Indigenous cattle 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 – Gujrat

Exotic Cattle breeds in India

  • Jersey Cow – Jersey Island, U.K
  • Holstein Friesian Cow- Netherlands

Rashtriya Gokul Mission History 

  • Launched as a national Programme for Bovine Breeding and Dairy Development in 2013, the scheme was renamed as Rashtriya Gokul mission in the year 2014 to promote indigenous bovine breeds conservation. 
  • The scheme will work towards achieving the goal of increased milk production and bovine productivity to meet the rising demand of milk leading to making the dairy sector profitable for rural farmers of the country. 
  • Launched as an independent scheme in 2014, the Rashtriya Gokul Mission was made an umbrella scheme in 2021 under the Rashtriya Pashudhan Vikas Yojana.
  • The scheme is expected to improve the conditions of the dairy sector in India and living conditions of rural farmers and women. 

Rashtriya Gokul Mission Objectives

Following are the Objectives of Rashtriya Gokul Mission- 

  • Promotion and conservation of indigenous cattle breeds. 
  • Breed Development Programmes will be conducted in order to improve the genetic profile of indigenous cattle breed and raise livestock. 
  • Improve the productivity of indigenous bovine animals and increase the production of milk. 
  • Low quality cattles will be bred with premium indigenous breeds like Gir, Sahiwal, Rathi etc. to improve their productivity.
  • Addressing sanitary and phytosanitary problems and then increasing trade in animals and livestock products in western countries. 
  • To set up an e-marketplace online to interconnect bovine germplasm to breeders and farmers.
  • All female bovines will be brought under organised breeding using modern technologies like artificial insemination. 

Rashtriya Gokul Mission Benefits

Rashtriya Gokul Mission Scheme has the following benefits: 

The scheme will enhance the nation’s milk production capacity.

  • Rashtriya Gokul Mission promotes livestock rearing alongside agriculture, providing farmers with an economic buffer during crop failures or poor monsoons.
  • Increases per capita milk availability across the country.
  • Supports the development of indigenous cattle breeds, which are resilient, climate-adapted, and have a lower disease burden.
  • Facilitates the establishment of robust dairy infrastructure for processing, procurement, and marketing, creating new employment opportunities.
  • Boosts related industries such as fodder production and organic manure.
  • Empowers women by offering financial support to those engaged in the dairy sector.

What is the Need of Rashtriya Gokul Mission?

The Rashtriya Gokul Mission is essential for the following reasons:

  • Efficient Use of Cattle Population: India has approximately 300 million bovines, including 191 million cattle and 109 million buffaloes, with 80% being indigenous and non-descript breeds. RGM aims to effectively utilize this vast population to boost farmers' income and drive national growth.
  • Preservation of Indigenous Breeds: India has 41 registered indigenous cow breeds and 13 buffalo breeds. Many, like Punganur, Vechur, and Krishna Valley, are rapidly declining and require immediate conservation efforts.
  • Reduced Reliance on Foreign Breeds: Indigenous cattle are more robust, resilient, and better suited to local climates, requiring less care compared to foreign breeds.
  • Nutritional Quality of Milk: Milk from indigenous cattle is richer in fat and solids-not-fat (SNF), including casein, lactose, vitamins, and minerals, making it nutritionally superior.
  • Adaptation to Climate Change: Indigenous breeds are less affected by climate change, ensuring more consistent productivity compared to foreign breeds.

Rashtriya Gokul Mission Implementation Agencies

Rashtriya Gokul Mission is implemented by the following agencies: 

  1. Licestick Development Boards- These are independent state agencies implementing the Rashtriya Gokul Mission Scheme. 
  2. CFSPTI – Central Frozen Semen Production and Training Institute, Bengaluru
  3. CCBFs – Central Cattle Breeding Farms
  4. ICAR – Indian Council of Agricultural Research
  5. Universities, Colleges, NGOs
  6. Gaushalas 

Rashtriya Gokul Mission FAQs

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.