Parliament Question: Cattle Breed under Rashtriya Gokul Mission

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 4185 TO BE ANSWERED ON 19TH AUGUST 2025 CATTLE BREED UNDER RASHTRIYA GOKUL MISSION 4185. SHRI MALAIYARASAN D: SMT. PRATIMA MONDAL: Will the Minister of FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING मत्स्यपालन, पशुपालन और डेयरी मंत्री be pleased to state: (a) the objectives and key components of the Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM) and aim of RGM at conservation and development of indigenous cattle breeds; (b) the total number of Gokul Grams and bull mother farms established in the country, State wise, including Tamil Nadu; (c) the impact of the Mission on improving the productivity and health of indigenous cattle breeds; (d) the financial assistance and technical support provided by the Government to farmers and dairy cooperatives under the Mission; (e) whether the Government has any plans to expand or modify the Rashtriya Gokul Mission in the future years to further support indigenous breed conservation, if so, the details thereof; (f) the status of the implementation of the RGM including progress in conserving indigenous bovine breed, enhancing productivity and establishing Gokul Grams; and (g) the strategies undertaken by the Government to enhance fodder availability and nutritional security for livestock, including promotion of high-yield fodder varieties and silage infrastructure? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING (PROF. S. P. SINGH BAGHEL) (a) to (f) Government of India is implementing Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM) since December 2014 to complement and supplement the efforts of the State and Union Territories for development and conservation of indigenous breeds, genetic upgradation of bovine population and enhancement of milk production and productivity thereby making milk production more remunerative to farmers. The Scheme is being implemented with the following aims and objectives: (i) To enhance productivity of bovines and increasing milk production in a sustainable manner using advance technologies (ii) To propagate use of high genetic merit bulls for breeding purposes. (iii) To enhance Artificial insemination coverage through strengthening breeding network and delivery of Artificial insemination services at farmers doorstep (iv) To promote indigenous cattle & buffalo rearing and conservation in a scientific and holistic manner. The implementation status of the key components of the Rashtriya Gokul Mission, along with the financial and technical assistance extended to farmers engaged in dairying under the scheme, is as follows:(i) Nationwide Artificial Insemination Programme: The programme aims at enhancing AI coverage and to deliver quality Artificial Insemination Services (AI) at farmer’s doorstep with semen of high genetic merit bulls including indigenous breeds. The progress of the programme is uploaded in real time on Bharat Pashudhan/NDLM (National Digital Livestock Mission), ensuring transparency in artificial insemination services and in tracking the farmers benefitting from the programme. As on date 9.16 crore animals have been covered, 14.12 crores Artificial Insemination have been performed and 5.54 crores farmers benefitted under the programme. Income of the participating farmers is expected to increase with the enhancement in productivity. (ii) Sex Sorted Semen: Sex-sorted semen technology has been introduced in the country to ensure production of female calves with up to 90% accuracy. This technology is a game-changer, as it not only enhances milk production but also helps in reducing the stray cattle population. For the first time in India, facilities established under the Rashtriya Gokul Mission have successfully produced sex-sorted semen of indigenous cattle breeds. These facilities are located at five government semen stations in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, and Uttar Pradesh. In addition, three private semen stations are also engaged in the production of sex- sorted semen doses. So far, 1.25 crore doses have been produced using high genetic merit bulls, including those from indigenous breeds. Accelerated Breed Improvement Programme using sex sorted semen: Sex sorted semen of indigenous breeds is promoted under the programme. Under the component incentive upto 50% of the cost of sex sorted semen on assured pregnancy is made available to farmers. (iii) Multi-Purpose Artificial Insemination Technicians in Rural India (MAITRI’s): MAITRIs are trained and equipped to deliver quality Artificial Insemination services at farmers’ doorstep. Under the scheme assistance of Rs 31000 is made available for training and Rs 50,000 is made available for equipment. As on date, 38,736 MAITRIs have been trained and equipped. (iv) Implementation of in-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) Technology: For the first time in the country, bovine IVF technology has been promoted for the development and conservation of indigenous breeds. The Department has established 23 IVF laboratories across India for this purpose. From these laboratories, 26,999 viable embryos have been produced, of which 15,005 embryos have been transferred, resulting in the birth of 2,366 calves. The Accelerated Breed Improvement Programme, leveraging IVF technology, has been launched to take advanced breeding methods to farmers’ doorsteps, with an incentive of Rs. 5,000 provided for every assured pregnancy. The programme, aimed at promoting the development of indigenous breeds, has so far resulted in the transfer of 6,637 embryos, establishment of 1,247 pregnancies, and the birth of 785 calves, including 731 female calves. (v) Progeny testing and Pedigree selection programme: This programme aims to produce high genetic merit bulls, including bulls of indigenous breeds. Progeny testing is implemented for Gir, Sahiwal breeds of cattle, and Murrah, Mehsana breeds of buffaloes. Under the Pedigree selection programme Rathi, Tharparkar, Hariana, Kankrej breeds of cattle and Jaffarabadi, Nili Ravi, Pandharpuri and Banni breeds of buffalo are covered. Disease free high genetic merit bulls of indigenous breeds produced under the programme are made available to semen stations across the country. So far, 4243 high genetic merit bulls have been produced and made available to semen stations for semen production. (vi) Strengthening of semen stations to achieve qualitative and quantitative improvement in semen production including semen of indigenous breeds. So far, strengthening of 47 semen stations have been sanctioned.(vii) Under the scheme, fertility camps, milk yield competitions, calf rallies, farmers’ training programmes, seminars, workshops, and conclaves have been organized to create awareness among farmers about the importance of indigenous bovine breeds. (viii) Under the component for establishment of Breed Multiplication Farms (BMF), the Department had sanctioned 132 BMFs. However, this component has been discontinued under the revised Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM). (ix) Under the scheme, funds have been released for setting up of 16 “Gokul Grams” in the country with the aim of conservation and development of indigenous bovine breeds in a scientific and holistic manner. The component is discontinued under revised and realigned Rashtriya Gokul Mission from 2021-22 to 2025-26. The state-wise details of Gokul Grams are given at Annexure-I. As no proposal was received from the State of Tamil Nadu, Gokul Gram has not been established in the State. Further, under RGM, no new bull mother farms have been sanctioned. However, a total of 4 BMF have been sanctioned in Tamil Nadu to ensure availability of elite animals of indigenous breeds. Further, a total of 2 IVF labs has been established in Tamil Nadu at Hosur and Namakkal for development and conservation of indigenous breeds. Further, funds have been released to the State for strengthening of 4 semen stations. Due to the implementation of the Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM) and other measures undertaken by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, the overall productivity of bovines in the country has witnessed a remarkable increase. The average productivity has risen from 1,640 kilograms per animal per year in 2014–15 to 2,072 kilograms per animal per year in 2023–24, registering a 26.34% growth—the highest productivity gain achieved by any country in the world. Specifically, the productivity of indigenous and non-descript cattle has improved from 927 kilograms per animal per year in 2014–15 to 1,292 kilograms per animal per year in 2023–24, marking a 39.37% increase. Similarly, the productivity of buffaloes has increased from 1,880 kilograms per animal per year in 2014– 15 to 2,161 kilograms per animal per year in 2023–24, a gain of 14.94%. As a result, India’s total milk production has grown from 146.31 million tonnes in 2014–15 to 239.30 million tonnes in 2023–24, reflecting an impressive 63.55% increase in just 10 years. Rashtriya Gokul Mission was revised and realigned in July 2021 to enhance its effectiveness. In view of its successful implementation and strong demand from the States, the Government further revised the Rashtriya Gokul Mission in March 2025, allocating an additional amount of Rs. 1,000 crore. This brings the total outlay for the scheme to ₹3,400 crore for the 15th Finance Commission period (2021-22 to 2025- 26). Under the scheme two new activities have been added: (i) establishment of Heifer Rearing Centres to increase availability of High Genetic Merit animals (HGM) (ii) 3% interest subvention to farmers for procurement of HGM IVF heifers. (g) The Government of India provides support related to feed and fodder development activities under Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF) and National Livestock Mission (NLM) schemes. Under Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF) interest subvention is extended to Dairy Cooperatives, Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), Private Companies, Individual Entrepreneurs, Section 8 Companies, and MSMEs for setting up animal feed plants. The scheme is demand- driven, and proposals are considered strictly on merit and eligibility, irrespective of geographical location. Department is also supplementing the efforts of State Governments and Union Territories through implementation of the Centrally Sponsored Scheme National Livestock Mission with a Sub-Mission onFeed and Fodder Development since 2014-15. The scheme has been realigned in July 2021 and again in March 2024 with objective to enhance the fodder availability with following components: i. Assistance for quality fodder seed production under which the incentives up to Rs.250/kg, Rs.150/kg and Rs.100 Rs/kg are given for production of Breeder, Foundation and Certified seeds respectively. ii. Entrepreneurial activities in feed and fodder for Infrastructure development related to Hay/Silage/Total Mixed Ration(TMR)/ Fodder Block and storage of fodder where in subsidy of 50% of the total project cost (up to Rs.50 lakhs) is provided to the beneficiaries. iii. Establishment of seed processing and grading infrastructure under Entrepreneurial activities wherein subsidy of 50% of the total project cost (up to Rs.50 lakhs) is provided to the beneficiaries. iv. Fodder Production from Non Forest Wasteland/rangeland/Non arable lands. v. Fodder Production from Forest Lands. Besides the above, the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (DA&FW) is implementing the Central Sector Scheme on “Formation and Promotion of 10,000 Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs)”. Under this scheme, the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) has been designated as an Implementing Agency for the formation and promotion of 100 FPOs, primarily focused on fodder-centric activities. Further, the Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute (IGFRI), Jhansi (ICAR), has developed Fodder Resources Development Plans with area-specific strategies to address the deficiency of green and dry fodder in different regions. These plans serve as executable roadmaps for State Governments and other agencies engaged in livestock-related policy and planning. The Department has also undertaken extensive awareness initiatives—including seminars, video conferences, advisories to States, and regional review meetings—to promote and encourage the establishment of animal feed manufacturing units, particularly in rural areas. ***Annexure-I Details of the Gokul Gram Name of the Location of Gokul Gram Mandated Breed State Andhra Pradesh Cattle Breeding farm, Chadalawada, Ongole Prakasam Telangana PVNR Telangana Veterinary University Gir, Sahiwal, Thaparkar, Deoni, Ongole Karnataka Amrithmahal, Subcenter, Lingadahalli, Amrit Mahal Chikkamagaluru, Gujarat Dharampur, Porbandar Gir Madhya Pradesh Cattle Breeding Farm, Ratona, Sagar Tharparkar Maharashtra Bull Mother Farm , Tathwade, Pune Pandharpuri Bull Mother Farm , Pohara, Amravati Gaolao Punjab Bir Dosanjh Nabha Sahiwal; Gir Haryana Hisar Hariana; Murrah Himachal Thanakhas, Una Sahiwal Pradesh Uttar Pradesh DUVASU Mathura Sahiwal; Hariana Arazilines Varanasi Gangatiri Simra Viran, Shahjahanpur Sahiwal Arunachal Tezu, Lohit Gir, Sahiwal, Pradesh Chhattisgarh Institutional Gokul Gram Jhalam, Gir, Sahiwal, Kosli Bemetra Bihar Dumraon, Buxar Hariana graded