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