Mayur Mahajan
Rashtriya Gokul Mission launched by Government of India for conservation and development of indigenous breeds in a focused and scientific manner. The mission also envisages the establishment of integrated cattle development centers called “Gokul Grams” to develop indigenous breeds including up to 40% nondescript breeds. Rashtriya Gokul Mission is a focused project under National Programme for Bovine Breeding and Dairy Development, with an outlay of Rs 500 crore during three years from 2014-15 to 2016-17. The main objective of the scheme is to Increase the production of milk in the country. Currently, countries like US, UK, Israel etc. have more production of milk. The government has aims under this scheme is to protect cow breeds and increase the number of local cow breeds. The government also constructs cattle care centers. The importance & need for conservation of indigenous breeds because Cattle not only contribute substantially to milk production but are also used as draught animals, for agricultural operations and transport in rural areas. Most of the agricultural operations by small farmers are performed by bullocks. Rashtriya Gokul Mission helps to conserve indigenous breeds
Objectives of the Scheme:
- To undertake breed improvement programme for indigenous cattle breeds so as to improve the genetic makeup and increase the stock
- To enhance milk production and productivity of indigenous bovines
- To upgrade nondescript cattle using elite indigenous breeds like Gir, Sahiwal, Rathi, Deoni, Tharparkar, Red Sindhi
- To distribute disease free high genetic merit bulls of indigenous breeds for natural service
What is Gokul Gram?
- Gokul Gram are Indigenous Cattle Centers and act as Centers for development of Indigenous Breeds
- Gokul Gram established in native breeding tracts and near metropolitan cities for housing the urban cattle
- A dependable source for supply of high genetic breeding stock to the farmers in the breeding tract
- The centers also generate economic resources from sale of milk, organic manure, vermicomposting, urine distillates, and production of electricity from biogas for in-house consumption and sale of animal products
- Gokul Gram also function as state of the art in situ training center for Farmers, Breeders
Components of Rashtriya Gokul Mission:
- Establishment of village level Integrated Indigenous Cattle Centers viz Gokul Gram
- Strengthening of bull mother farms to conserve high genetic merit Indigenous Breeds
- Establishment of Field Performance Recording (FPR) in the breeding tract.
- Assistance to Institutions/institutes which are repositories of best germplasm
- Implementation of Pedigree Selection Programme for the Indigenous Breeds with large population
- Establishing “Gopalan Sangh”- Breeder’s Societies
- Distribution of disease-free high genetic merit bulls for natural service
- Incentive to farmers maintaining elite animals of indigenous breeds
- Heifer rearing programme
- Award to Farmers (Gopal Ratna) and Breeders” Societies (Kamadhenu)
- Organization of Milk Yield Competitions for indigenous breeds
- Organization of Training Programme for technical and nontechnical
Implementation of Rashtriya Gokul Mission:
- Rashtriya Gokul Mission is implemented through State Implementing Agencies (SIA) viz Livestock Development Boards
- All Participating Agencies like CFSPTI, CCBFs, ICAR, Universities, Colleges, NGOs, Cooperative Societies having a role in indigenous cattle development programme
References & details:
- For more details about Rashtriya Gokul Mission visit official site: http://dahd.nic.in/about-us/divisions/cattle-and-dairy-development/rgm-rashtriya-gokul-mission
- Download Rashtriya Gokul Mission pdf visit: http://dahd.nic.in/sites/default/files/RGM%20Scheme%20Detail.pdf
