Rashtriya Gokul Mission: Know How Livestock Farmers can Take Benefit of this Government Scheme

PM Narendra Modi along with the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare have been initiating various schemes and mission for the welfare of the farmers. There are many schemes throughwhich farmers can get lots ofbenefits and double their income. Under the ambit of 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' , government has announced different funds in different sectors to cope up with this crisis period.

Let's know about the existing government mission and policies which can help livestock farmers.

What is Rashtriya Gokul Mission

The Rashtriya Gokul Mission was launched in December 2014 as an initiative to develop and conserve the indigenous bovine breeds for improving the milk production and productivity in a scientific manner which includes superior nutrition and farm management. PM Narendra Modi along with the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare announced the implementation of the Rashtriya Gokul Mission. This mission was launched under the National Programme for Bovine Breeding and Dairy Development during the 12th Five Year Plan.

Objectives of Rashtriya Gokul Mission:

• To develop and conserve the indigenous breeds.

• To initiate a breed improvement programme for improving the genetic makeup.

• To improve and increase milk production and productivity.

• Use of elite indigenous breeds like Gir, Sahiwal, Rathi, Deoni, Tharparkar, Red Sindhi for upgrading nondescript cattle.

• To distribute disease free high genetic merit bulls for natural service.

What are the Initiatives of Rashtriya Gokul Mission?

Gokul Grams

Various cattle development centres were established to develop indigenous breeds. These development centres were known as Gokul Grams.

Gopal Ratna award for Farmers

Initiating different awards for the farmers to encourage them to rear these indigenous breeds. Gopal Ratna award was given to the farmers for best management and maintenance of the Indigenous Breed while the Kamdhenu award was given for best managed Indigenous herd by Institutions/Trusts/ NGOs/ Gaushalas or best-managed Breeders’ societies.

National Kamdhenu Breeding Centre (NKBC)

Establishment of National Kamdhenu Breeding Centre (NKBC) as a centre of excellence for the development and conservation of indigenous breeds in a scientific way.

E-Pashu Haat – Nakul Prajnan Bazaar

Developing an e-market portal for connecting the breeders and farmers. This e-market portal was named as ‘E-Pashu Haat – Nakul Prajnan Bazaar’.

Establishment of Pashu Sanjivani

An animal wellness program, Pashu Sanjivani, was established that encompassed the provision of animal health cards.

Use of advanced reproductive technology for a disease-free female bovine. This technology included In-vitro Fertilization (IVF) and Multiple Ovulation Embryo Transfer (MOET).

National Bovine Genomic Center for Indigenous Breeds (NBGC-IB)

Establishment of National Bovine Genomic Center for Indigenous Breeds (NBGC-IB).

What is a Gokul Gram?

India houses 14.5% of the world cattle population, out of which 83% of the population is indigenous. The Rashtriya Gokul Mission, which was implemented by the State Implementing Agency (SIA), focuses on the development of integrated indigenous cattle centres. These cattle centres are known as Gokul Grams.

A Gokul Gram mainly focuses on the following objectives:

Promoting indigenous cattle rearing and their conservation in a scientific manner.

Use of indigenous breeds for propagating high genetic merit bulls.

Developing modern farm management practices, along with promoting common resource management.

To utilize animal waste in an economical way.