Rashtriya Gokul Mission: Objectives, Benefits, Funding - UPSC Notes

Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM) has been implemented since December 2014. It focuses on the development and conservation of indigenous bovine breeds. Its primary objective is to boost milk production and increase the productivity of bovines, addressing the rising demand for milk while simultaneously making dairy farming more lucrative for rural farmers. As of 2021, the RGM continues to operate under the Rashtriya Pashudhan Vikas Yojna, with a budget of Rs. 2400 crore from 2021 to 2026. The anticipated outcomes of the RGM include heightened productivity, with the benefits extending to all cattle and buffaloes across India, mainly benefiting small and marginal farmers. Notably, this program holds significant advantages for women, as it contributes to over 70% of the labor in livestock farming.

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New Pashu Sanjeevani Ambulances

• In December 2022, Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka received 9 new veterinary surgical mobile vehicles. They are called Pashu Sanjeevani.
• These vehicles will provide emergency treatment to the cattle.
• These mobile ambulances will be available to call the emergency number 1962.
• The initiative of Pashu Sanjeevani Ambulances is a part of the Rashtriya Gokul Mission.

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Rashtriya Gokul Mission-History

Rashtriya Gokul Mission Launched as a National Programme for Bovine Breeding and Dairy Development in 2013; the scheme was renamed Rashtriya Gokul Mission in 2014 to promote Indigenous bovine breeds conservation. The scheme will achieve the goal of increasing milk production and bovine productivity to meet the rising demand for milk, making the dairy sector profitable for rural farmers. The scheme is expected to improve the conditions of the dairy sector in India and the living conditions of rural farmers and women. 

• Initially, it was launched as the National Programme for Bovine Breeding and Dairy Development in 2013.
• In 2014, the National Programme for Bovine Breeding and Dairy Development was renamed Rashtriya Gokul Mission.
• The Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM) has been launched to promote and conserve indigenous bovine breeds.
• Indigenous breeds are the local breeds freely found in a particular region, state, or country.
• The scheme aims to increase milk production and bovine productivity to fulfill rising milk demand and make the dairy sector more profitable for the country's rural farmers.
• The upgraded scheme was initially launched in 2014 and will continue until 2017. But, now, it is also extended from 2021 to 2026 under the umbrella scheme "Rashtriya Pashudhan Vikas Yojna." The new budget outlay of the scheme is Rs.2400 crore.
• The RGM aims to increase the productivity of small and marginal farmers involved in the dairying and livestock sector.
• This scheme will also empower the women population, as women perform more than 70% of the labor in cattle production.

Objectives of Rashtriya Gokul Mission

The Rashtriya Gokul Mission desires to preserve and develop indigenous bovine breeds scientifically and sustainably. The mission concentrates on genetic upgradation, productivity enhancement, and the advancement of animal husbandry as a promising occupation. The objectives of the Rashtriya Gokul Mission are –

• To promote and conserve the indigenous breeds of cattle.
• To conduct a breed development program for indigenous cattle breeds to improve their genetic profile and increase stock.
• To improve milk production and increase indigenous bovine animals' productivity.
• To improve the productivity of low-quality cattle by breeding with premier indigenous breeds such as Gir, Sahiwal, Rathi, Deoni, Tharparkar, and Red Sindhi.
• To distribute disease-free, high-genetic-worth indigenous bulls for natural services like reproduction.
• To increase trade related to animal and livestock products in Western countries after addressing sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) problems.
• Rashtriya Gokul Mission aims to establish an e-marketplace for bovine germplasm to connect breeders and farmers.
• To bring all breedable female bovines under organized breeding via modern technologies like Artificial Insemination or natural service employing high genetic merit germplasm.

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Benefits of the Rashtriya Gokul Mission

The Rashtriya Gokul Mission enhances indigenous cattle's genetic makeup and productivity. The mission ensures higher milk yield and better income for farmers. It also promotes biodiversity conservation and lessens reliance on exotic breeds.The benefits of the Rashtriya Gokul Mission scheme are given below –

• It will increase the country's milk production capacity.
• It will help in developing the culture of livestock rearing along with agriculture. So, it will act as a buffer by supporting the farmers during crop failure or poor monsoons.
• It will increase the per capita availability of milk in the country.
• The development of indigenous cattle breeds will reduce the disease burden because indigenous cattle are tough, resilient, and particularly suited to the climate and environment of the region.
• It will help establish dairy infrastructure in the economy, which will consist of proper processing, acquisition, and marketing of dairy products. Hence, there will be new employment opportunities.
• The growth of the dairy sector will also promote the development of other industries, such as fodder, organic manure, etc.
• This mission will also empower women by providing monetary support to women in the dairy sector.

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Why is the Rashtriya Gokul Mission needed?

India's indigenous cattle breeds were worsening due to negligence and crossbreeding. The Rashtriya Gokul Mission is to conserve these native breeds, improve milk production, and support rural livelihoods through sustainable animal husbandry. The Rashtriya Gokul Mission is needed because of the following reasons –

• Utilizing Large Cattle Population – India has about 300 million bovine population. Out of which 191 million are cattle and 109 million are buffaloes. Eighty percent of total cattle are indigenous and non-descript breeds. RGM will help effectively utilize the population to increase farmers' income and the country's growth.
• Declining indigenous breeds – India's bovine genetic resource is represented by 41 indigenous cow breeds and 13 registered buffalo breeds. It has been reported that some breeds, like Punganur, Vechur, and Krishna Valley, are rapidly declining. Hence, they need immediate attention.
• Reduce dependence on foreign breeds – The Indigenous breed of cattle is robust and resilient and particularly suited to their respective region's climate and environment. Hence, they need less care and precautions than the foreign breed.
• Good quality milk – The milk of Indigenous cattle is high in fat and SNF (solids, not fats). In milk, SNF contains casein, lactose, vitamins, and minerals other than butterfat and water. SNF contributes to the nutritional value of milk.
• Safeguard to Climate Change – According to studies, climate change will have a considerably smaller influence on the productivity of Indigenous breeds than on foreign breeds.

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UPSC Previous Year Questions (PYQs)  Q1 Livestock rearing has excellent potential for providing non-farm employment and income in rural areas. Discuss suggesting suitable measures to promote this sector in India [UPSC Civil Services Mains 2015]

Funding for the Rashtriya Gokul Mission

The Central Government fully funds the Rashtriya Gokul Mission under the National Programme for Bovine Breeding and Dairy Development. It provides financial support for protection, breeding centers, and infrastructure development.

• The funding of the Rashtriya Gokul Mission is based on a 100 percent grant-in-aid basis, except for a few components.
• The total financial outlay of the scheme is Rs. 2400 Crore.
• The components which are not covered under the grant-in-aid basis funding are –
  • Accelerated breed improvement program
  • Promoting sex-sorted semen
  • Establishment of breed multiplication farm

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Implementing agencies under the Rashtriya Gokul Mission

The Rashtriya Gokul Mission is executed through State Livestock Development Boards and cooperative societies under the direction of the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying. These agencies assure effective implementation at grassroots levels. The Implementation agencies of the Rashtriya Gokul Mission are –

• Livestock Development Boards – These are state implementing agencies of each state. The State Gauseva Ayogs are responsible for sponsoring these forwards.
• CFSPTI – Central Frozen Semen Production and Training Institute, Bengaluru
• CCBFs – Central Cattle Breeding Farms
• ICAR – Indian Council of Agricultural Research
• Universities, Colleges, NGOs
• Gaushalas

Note:- Livestock Development Boards are the implementing agencies, while CFSPTI, CCBFS, ICAR, Universities, colleges, NGOs, and Gaushalas are the participating agencies.

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Initiatives under the Rashtriya Gokul Mission

Some of the major initiatives for the development of Indigenous cattle breeds under the Rashtriya Gokul Mission are discussed below:

National Kamdhenu Breeding Centre

• National Kamdhenu Breeding Centre (NKBC) is a center of excellence established for nurturing, developing, and conserving indigenous breeds in a proven scientific method.
• They are also a repository of the germplasm of all indigenous breeds.
• Presently, 2 National Kamdhenu Breeding Centres are established in Hoshangabad, Madhya Pradesh, and Nellore, Andhra Pradesh.

“E-Pashu Haat” – Nakul Prajnan Bazaar

• It will be an authentic electronic market portal.
• It will connect breeders and farmers with different agencies and provide quality, disease-free bovine germplasm services.
• Germplasm includes semen, embryos, calves, heifers, and adult bovines.

Pashu Sanjivani

• It is an animal wellness program that will allocate Animal Health cards, also known as Nakul Swasthya Patra.
• These animal health cards will have Unique Identification(UID), and data will be uploaded to the National Database.

Advanced Reproductive Technology

• The latest assisted reproductive techniques, such as In-vitro Fertilization (IVF), Multiple Ovulation Embryo Transfer (MOET), and sex-sorted semen, will be used to improve the availability of disease-free female bovines.
• These technologies will help develop a high-quality breed of bovines.
• In September 2019, the Nationwide Artificial Insemination (AI) program was launched in 600 districts nationwide.

National Bovine Genomic Center

• The National Bovine Genomic Center for Indigenous Breeds (NBGC-IB) will be set up to breed highly genetically bulls at a young age.

Gokul Gram

• The Gokul Grams are integrated cattle development centers established by the State Implementing Agency.
• The Gokul Grams promote indigenous cattle rearing, develop modern farm management practices, utilize animal waste, and propagate high genetic quality bulls.
• The Gokul Gram will maintain a ratio of 60:40 between milch and unproductive animals; The total capacity will be about 1000 animals.
• The Gokul Gram will be a self-sustaining entity. They will generate economic resources by selling A2 milk, organic manure, vermicomposting, urine distillates, and power generated from biogas.
• There are 20 Gokul Grams that have been sanctioned in 13 states.

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Rashtriya Gokul Mission – Current Status of Accomplishments

Every year, the Gopal Ratna Awards and Kamdhenu Awards motivate farmers to rear Indigenous breeds of Bovines. These awards include monetary incentives and trophies. Free Artificial Insemination services are provided at farmers' doorstep. Under this initiative, 4.33 crore Artificial Insemination was performed, and 2.28 crore farmers benefitted. There are 19 operational bovine IVF/ ETT labs across the country. Multi-purpose Artificial Insemination Technicians in Rural Areas (MAITRIs) have been inducted to deliver inputs related to breeding at farmers' doorstep. 90% accuracy has been achieved in Sex sorted semen production for producing female calves.

Challenges of the Rashtriya Gokul Mission

The Rashtriya Gokul Mission meets hurdles like a lack of awareness among farmers, slow adoption of scientific breeding methods, and limited infrastructure for indigenous breed preservation. Coordinated enactment across states also remains a challenge.

• According to the livestock census, the number of indigenous cattle breeds declined by 9% while the number of foreign exotic breeds increased by 20%.
• Establishing Gokul gram requires over 209 hectares (ha) of land and about 1000 cattle. But, according to states, setting up such a farm is impossible with the center's current funds.
• The dairy sector is suffering from a lack of expertise and delivery of quality services to farmers to improve production and inadequate infrastructure to support the industry.
• There is an issue of shortage of fodders in the Gokul grams.
• The disease outbreak among cattle is also a significant issue. Recently, Lumpy Skin disease has killed thousands of cows across the country.

Rashtriya Gokul Mission: Facts and Figures for UPSC

Facts and figures related to Government schemes and missions are very important for the UPSC exam. So, some of the noteworthy facts related to the Rashtriya Gokul Mission are given below in the following table:

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

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Way Forward

• There is a need to boost animal productivity and provide better healthcare, breeding facilities, and dairy animal management.
• Rashtriya Gokul Mission has the potential to lower the cost of milk production by increasing per capita milk availability.

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