Cabinet Approves Revised Rashtriya Gokul Mission with ₹3,400 Crore

Why in the News?

The Union Cabinet approved the Revised Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM) with an enhanced outlay of ₹3,400 crore for 2021-26. The scheme introduces new initiatives to boost milk production, breed improvement, and dairy sector growth across India.

Cabinet Approves Revised Rashtriya Gokul Mission with ₹3,400 Crore

Cabinet Approves Revised Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM):

  • The Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the Revised Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM) to strengthen the livestock sector.
  • The revised RGM will be implemented as a Central Sector component under the Development Programmes scheme.
  • The government has allocated an additional ₹1,000 crore, making the total outlay ₹3,400 crore under the 15th Finance Commission cycle (2021-22 to 2025-26).

New Additions and Ongoing Initiatives

  • Two new activities introduced:
    • One-time assistance (35% of capital cost) for setting up Heifer Rearing Centres, aiming to create 30 housing facilities for 15,000 heifers.
    • 3% interest subvention on loans taken by farmers for purchasing High Genetic Merit (HGM) IVF heifers.
  • The scheme will continue strengthening:
    • Semen stations, Artificial Insemination networks, bull production programs, and breed improvement programs using sex-sorted semen.
    • Skill development, farmer awareness programs, and establishment of Centres of Excellence.

Impact on Dairy Sector and Indigenous Breeds

  • Milk production has increased by 63.55% in the last decade, and per capita availability rose from 307g (2013-14) to 471g (2023-24).
  • The Nationwide Artificial Insemination Programme (NAIP) has benefited 21 crore farmers, covering 8.39 crore animals.
  • 22 IVF labs have been set up, producing 2,541 HGM calves.
  • Technological advancements include Gau Chip, Mahish Chip, and Gau Sort for indigenous bovine breeding.
  • The scheme aims to enhance milk productivity, farmer incomes, and indigenous breed conservation.

Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM)

About:

  • Launched in December 2014 for the development and conservation of indigenous bovine breeds.
  • Continued under the Rashtriya Pashudhan Vikas Yojana (2021-2026) with a budget of ₹2,400 crore.
  • Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying.

Objectives:

  • Enhance bovine productivity and sustainable milk production using advanced technologies.
  • Promote high genetic merit bulls for breeding.
  • Expand Artificial Insemination (AI) coverage with doorstep AI services.
  • Encourage scientific rearing and conservation of indigenous cattle and buffaloes.

Related Schemes:

  • Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF)
  • National Animal Disease Control Programme
  • National Artificial Insemination Programme
  • National Livestock Mission
  • National Kamdhenu Breeding Centre
  • Gokul Grams
  • “E-Pashu Haat” – Nakul Prajnan Bazaar