Reference:

• Under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Union Cabinet approved the Revised National Gokul Mission (RGM) to promote the development of the livestock sector.

Key Points:

Allocation:

• A total of ₹3,400 crore has been allocated for RGM, including an additional budget of ₹1,000 crore.
• This allocation will be for the 15th Finance Commission cycle (2021-22 to 2025-26).

New Activities:

Heifer Rearing Centers:

• Establishment of 30 residential heifer rearing centers for 15,000 heifers.
• A 35% lump sum capital assistance will be provided.

Incentives for IVF Heifer Purchase:

• Farmers will be encouraged to purchase High Genetic Merit (HGM) IVF heifers.
• A 3% interest subvention will be provided on loans taken from milk unions, financial institutions, or banks.
• This scheme aims to continue the ongoing activities of the National Gokul Mission:

Strengthening semen stations.

• Expansion of the artificial insemination network.
• Implementation of the bull breeding program.
• Accelerated breed improvement program using sex-sorted semen.
• Skill development and farmer awareness campaigns.
• Establishment of centers of excellence.
• Strengthening of Central Cattle Breeding Farms (CCBF) without any changes in the assistance pattern.

Other Key Initiatives Under RGM:

• The Nationwide Artificial Insemination Program (NAIP) under RGM provides free artificial insemination (AI) services to farmers at their doorstep in 605 districts with AI coverage below 50%.
• Over 8.39 crore animals have been covered so far, benefiting 5.21 crore farmers.
• RGM has also been at the forefront of bringing the latest reproductive technologies to farmers’ doorsteps.
• A total of 22 In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) laboratories have been established across the country under State Livestock Boards (SLBs) or universities.
• Over 2,541 HGM calves have been born through IVF technology.

Two pioneering steps in self-reliant technology:

• Gau Chip and Mahish Chip: Indigenous genomic chips for bovine animals developed by NDDB and ICAR-NBAGR.
• Gau Sort: An indigenous sex-sorted semen production technology developed by NDDB.
• This scheme will lead to a significant increase in milk production and productivity, ultimately enhancing farmers' income.
• It focuses on the conservation and preservation of India's indigenous bovine breeds through systematic and scientific efforts in bull production and the development of indigenous bovine genomic chips.
• The initiatives under the scheme have made In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) an established technology.
• This initiative will not only enhance productivity but also improve the livelihoods of 8.5 crore farmers engaged in the dairy industry.

Government's Initiatives in Agriculture and Dairy Sector:

• Milk and Agricultural Production:
• India is the largest milk producer in the world.
• It is the second-largest producer of fruits and vegetables.
• There is a growing global demand for organic and value-added agricultural products.
• Union Budget 2024-25: Significant allocation has been made for agriculture, animal health, and rural development.

Other Initiatives in the Livestock Sector:

• National Livestock Mission (NLM):
• This scheme focuses on employment generation and entrepreneurship development.
• Its objective is to increase per-animal productivity and thereby promote the production of meat, goat milk, eggs, and wool.
• ₹324 crore has been allocated for this mission during 2024-25.

Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF):

• This scheme encourages investment in dairy processing and value addition, meat processing, animal feed plants, vaccine infrastructure, and waste-to-wealth management.
• The Dairy Infrastructure Development Fund (DIDF) has been merged with AHIDF, with the revised amount now at ₹29,610 crore.

National Animal Disease Control Program (NADCP):

• Launched in 2019, it is the largest program of its kind globally, aimed at eradicating FMD and Brucellosis by 2030.
• Over 99.71 crore vaccines have been administered to cattle and buffaloes, benefiting 7.18 crore farmers.

National Gokul Mission (RGM):

• Launched: 2014 by the Government of India.

Objective:

• To promote the conservation and promotion of indigenous breeds.
• Increase animal productivity.
• Enhance farmers’ income.
• Improve milk production.