Consider the following statements about the Rashtriya Gokul Mission:

  1. It is important for the upliftment of rural poor as majority of low producing indigenous animals are with small and marginal farmers and landless labourers.  
  2. It was initiated to promote indigenous cattle and buffalo rearing and conservation in a scientific and holistic manner.  

Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 

  • I only   
  • II only   
  • Both I and II   
  • Neither I nor II  

Answer: (c) Both I and II   

  • The Rashtriya Gokul Mission was initiated by the Government of India under the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying.
  • The Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM) is crucial for upliftment of rural poor as more than 80% low producing indigenous animals are with small and marginal farmers and landless labourers. The scheme is important in enhancing milk production and productivity of bovines to meet growing demand of milk and making dairying more remunerative to the rural farmers of the country.
  • The Rashtriya Gokul Mission was launched to promote the rearing and conservation of indigenous cattle and buffalo breeds in a scientific and holistic manner.
  • The mission aims to enhance the productivity of native breeds, preserve their genetic diversity, and improve rural livelihoods. It focuses on the development of high-genetic merit animals through modern breeding technologies, establishment of Gokul Grams (cattle care centers), and support for traditional animal husbandry practices.
    • Gokul Grams: It provides for the setting up of 16 Gokul Grams as Integrated Indigenous Cattle development Centres with the aim of conservation & development of indigenous bovine breeds in a scientific and holistic manner.
  • Funding: 100% grant-in-aid (with specific exceptions for subsidies).
  • Key Initiatives: Promotion of sex-sorted semen, IVF technology (subsidy of ₹5,000 per pregnancy), and 50% subsidy for establishing breed multiplication farms.
Key Features of Revised RGM
  • Outlay: ₹3,400 crore for 15th Finance Commission cycle (2021-22 to 2025-26).
  • Two New added Activities:
    • Heifer Rearing Centres (HRCs): One-time assistance of 35% of capital cost for establishment of HRCs to Implementing Agencies for creation of 30 housing facilities having total 15000 heifers.
    • Interest Subvention for Farmers: To encourage purchase of high genetic merit (HGM) in vitro fertilization (IVF) heifers, farmers will receive a 3% interest subvention on loans taken from milk unions, financial institutions, or banks.
Achievements of Rashtriya Gokul Mission
  • Milk production: Increased by 63.55% in the last 10 years. 
  • Per capita milk availability: Increased from 307 grams per day in 2013-14 to 471 grams per day in 2023-24. 
  • Dairy productivity: Increasing by 26.34% in the last ten years.
  • Artificial Insemination: Nationwide Artificial Insemination Programme (NAIP) under the RGM provides free of cost Artificial Insemination at the farmer’s doorstep in 605 districts