The Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has given the green light to the Revised Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM), which is set to give a significant boost to the livestock sector. This updated scheme, part of the Central Sector component of the Development Programmes initiative, has been allocated a whopping ₹3,400 crore for the 15th Finance Commission cycle (from 2021-22 to 2025-26), along with an extra ₹1,000 crore. The mission’s goals include increasing milk production, enhancing genetic quality, and improving farmers’ incomes, all while ensuring the preservation of India’s native bovine breeds through scientific methods.
Key Highlights
Financial Allocation
- Total outlay: ₹3,400 crore under the 15th Finance Commission cycle (2021-22 to 2025-26).
- Additional allocation of ₹1,000 crore for the revised scheme.
New Initiatives Added
- One-time support (35%) for Heifer Rearing Centres
- Setting up 30 housing facilities for 15,000 heifers.
- 3% interest subsidy for High Genetic Merit (HGM) IVF Heifers
- Farmers who take out loans from milk unions, banks, or financial institutions for HGM IVF heifers will benefit from this interest subsidy.
Ongoing Key Activities
- Strengthening of Artificial Insemination (AI) Network and semen stations.
- Accelerated breed improvement programme using sex-sorted semen.
- Implementation of bull production programmes for genetic advancement.
- Skill development and farmer awareness initiatives.
- Establishment of Centres of Excellence for livestock breeding.
- Strengthening of Central Cattle Breeding Farms.
Impact of Rashtriya Gokul Mission
- 63.55% increase in milk production over the past 10 years.
- Per capita milk availability rose from 307 grams/day (2013-14) to 471 grams/day (2023-24).
- Productivity increased by 26.34% in the last decade.
- 8.39 crore animals covered under the Nationwide Artificial Insemination Programme (NAIP).
- 5.21 crore farmers benefited through free Artificial Insemination (AI) in 605 districts.
- 22 IVF labs established under State Livestock Boards (SLBs) and Universities.
- 2541 High Genetic Merit (HGM) calves born through IVF.
Technological Advancements
- Development of “Gau Chip” & “Mahish Chip”
- Genomic chips for indigenous bovines developed by NDDB and ICAR-NBAGR.
- “Gau Sort” – Indigenously Developed Sex-Sorted Semen Technology
- Developed by the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB).
Livelihood & Economic Impact
- Expected to enhance farmer incomes by increasing milk productivity.
- 8.5 crore farmers engaged in dairy farming will benefit from the scheme.
- Systematic scientific interventions in bull production will help preserve indigenous bovine breeds.
