Context: The Union Cabinet has approved the Revised Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM) to boost growth in the livestock sector.
Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Revised Rashtriya Gokul Mission.
Revised Rashtriya Gokul Mission
- The revised mission will be implemented as a Central Sector scheme with an additional outlay of ₹1,000 crore.
- Total allocation (FY22-26): ₹3,400 crore.
- Key Components:
- Heifer Rearing Centres: One-time assistance of 35% of capital cost for setting up 30 housing facilities for 15,000 heifers.
- Support for High Genetic Merit (HGM) Heifers: 3% interest subvention on loans taken by farmers to purchase HGM IVF heifers from milk unions/ financial institutions.
Rashtriya Gokul Mission
- The Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM) is being implemented for development and conservation of indigenous bovine breeds and enhancing milk production.
- Launched in 2014 under the National Programme for Bovine Breeding and Dairy Development.
- Ongoing Activities under RGM:
- Strengthening semen stations and artificial insemination (AI) networks
- Bull production and accelerated breed improvement programs
- Skill development and farmer awareness initiatives
- Establishing Centres of Excellence while reinforcing Central Cattle Breeding Farms.
- Key Components:
- Gokul Grams: Indigenous cattle development centres.
- National Kamdhenu Breeding Centres: Two centres set up (one in North & South each). Act as gene banks for high-quality indigenous bovine breeds.
- E-Pashu Haat Portal: Online platform to trade indigenous breeds and semen.
- Type of Funding: 100% grant by Central Government, with few exceptions.
- Implementing Agency: National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) and State Livestock Development Boards.
- Initiative of: Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying
Achievements under RGM
- Increased production and productivity in dairy sector:
- India is the world's largest producer of milk. Milk production has increased by 63% over the past decade.
- Availability of milk per capita has risen to 471 grams per day in 2023-24, from 307 grams per day in 2013-14.
- Milk productivity has also improved by 26% in the last ten years.
- Nationwide Artificial Insemination Programme (NAIP) under RGM provides free artificial insemination at farmers’ doorsteps in 605 districts across the country.
- Setting up in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) labs to develop high-genetic merit calves.
- Development of Gau Chip and Mahish Chip: genomic chips for indigenous bovines, created by NDDB and National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR).
- Development of Gau Sort: indigenously developed sex-sorted semen production technology (increases probability of female calf birth).