Rashtriya Gokul Mission

• The Prime Minister inaugurated the Sex Sorted Semen facility established under the Rashtriya Gokul Mission scheme at Semen Station, Purnea, Bihar.

About Rashtriya Gokul Mission

• Launched in 2014 as a Central Sector Scheme for the development and conservation of Indigenous breeds through selective breeding in the breeding tract and genetic upgradation of the nondescript bovine population.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying.
• Implemented by: Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying
• Implementing agencies: State Implementing Agency (SIA) viz Livestock Development Boards.
• Participating agencies: Other agencies having a role in Bovine Development like CFSPTI, CCBFs, ICAR, Universities, Colleges, NGOs, etc.

Components

• Availability of High Genetic Merit Germplasm
• Extension of Artificial Insemination Network
• Development and Conservation of indigenous Breeds
• Skill Development
• Farmers Awareness
• Research, Development, and Innovation in Bovine Breeding

Funding Pattern

• All the components of the Scheme will be implemented on a 100% grant-in-aid basis except:
  • Accelerated breed improvement programme under the component subsidy of Rs 5000 per IVF pregnancy will be made available to participating farmers as GoI share;
  • Promoting sex-sorted semen under the component subsidy up to 50% of the cost of it;
  • Establishment of a breed multiplication farm under the component subsidy of up to 50% of the capital cost maximum of up to Rs.2.00 crore of the project will be made available to entrepreneurs.

Current Affairs

Objectives

• To enhance the productivity of bovines & sustainably increase milk production using advanced technologies.
• To propagate the use of high genetic merit bulls for breeding purposes.
• To enhance Artificial insemination coverage through strengthening the breeding network and delivery of Artificial insemination services at the farmers’ doorstep.
• To promote indigenous cattle & buffalo rearing and conservation scientifically and holistically.

Initiatives under Rashtriya Gokul Mission

• Awards for encouraging farmers/breeder societies to rear Indigenous breeds of Bovines
  • Gopal Ratna awards: For farmers maintaining the best herd of Indigenous Breed(s).
  • Kamdhenu awards: For Best managed Indigenous Herd by Institutions/Trusts/ NGOs/ Gaushalas or best-managed Breeders’ Societies.

• Gokul Gram: To develop indigenous breeds including upto 40% nondescript breeds.
• National Kamdhenu Breeding Centres: Established as Centres of Excellence to develop and conserve Indigenous Breeds holistically and scientifically.
• Pashu Sanjivni: An Animal Wellness Programme encompassing the provision of Animal Health cards (‘Nakul Swasthya Patra’) along with UID identification and uploading data on a National Data Base.
• Advanced Reproductive Technology: Including Assisted Reproductive Technique-In-vitro Fertilization (IVF)/ Multiple Ovulation Embryo Transfer (MOET) and sex-sorted semen technique to improve the availability of disease-free female bovines.
• National Bovine Genomic Center for Indigenous Breeds (NBGC-IB): For selection of breeding bulls of high genetic merit at a young age using highly precise gene-based technology.

National Gopal Ratna Award

• Since 2021, the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying has been conferring the National Gopal Ratna Award every year under the Rashtriya Gokul Mission.
• It is one of the highest national awards in the field of livestock and dairy, instituted for farmers rearing indigenous livestock.
• Objective: To encourage the Milk producing farmers, dairy cooperative societies/MPC/FPOs, and Artificial Insemination Technicians (AITs).
• It is awarded for the following categories:
  • Best Dairy farmer rearing indigenous cattle/buffalo breeds.
  • Best Dairy Cooperative Society (DCS)/ Milk Producer Company (MPC)/ Dairy Farmer Producer Organization (FPO).
  • Best Artificial Insemination Technician (AIT).
  • Special award for North–Eastern Region (NER) States (conferred from 2024 onwards)
• The award consists of a Certificate of merit, a memento, and monitory prize in the first two categories i.e Best Dairy Farmer and Best DCS/FPO/MPCs as under:
  • 1^st rank: Rs. 5,00,000
  • 2^nd rank: Rs. 3,00,000
  • 3^rd rank: Rs. 2,00,000
  • Special Award for North-Eastern Region (NER): Rs. 2,00,000
• In the case of the Best Artificial Insemination Technician (AIT) category, consists of a Certificate of merit and a memento only. No cash prize is provided.
• The awards will be conferred on the occasion of National Milk Day on 26^th November.