Cattle rearing is a major source of livelihood for rural communities, especially small and marginal farmers. Recognizing the importance of cattle in their economic sustenance, the Government of India has launched the Rashtriya Gokul Mission. This initiative aims to conserve and enhance indigenous cow breeds, while also providing support and empowerment to these farmers through diverse initiatives.
Objectives of Rashtriya Gokul Mission
- To improve the productivity of bovines and achieve sustainable growth in milk production through the utilization of advanced technologies.
- To encourage the widespread use of high genetic merit bulls for breeding purposes.
- To make artificial insemination more accessible to farmers by improving the breeding network and offering doorstep services.
- To support the scientific and holistic rearing and conservation of indigenous cattle and buffalo breeds.
Details about the scheme
- The implementation of the Rashtriya Gokul Mission began in December 2014 with the purpose of conserving and developing indigenous bovine breeds.
- The scheme is expanded further under the scheme of Rashtriya Pashudhan Vikas Yojna, covering the period from 2021 to 2026, with a budget of Rs. 2400 crore.
- The scheme plays a crucial role in increasing milk production and improving the productivity of bovines to meet the rising demand for milk. It also aims to make dairy farming more financially rewarding for rural farmers across the country.
Benefits of Rashtriya Gokul Mission
- The mission helps in improving the processing, acquisition, and marketing of milk and milk products.
- By promoting scientific breeding techniques, the mission helps to improve the productivity of milch cattle, leading to increased milk production and higher income for farmers.
- Mission empowers women engaged in livestock-related activities and contributes to their economic and social empowerment.
Therefore, the Rashtriya Gokul Mission plays a vital role in conserving indigenous cattle breeds, enhancing milk production, and improving the livelihoods of farmers. Through its focus on genetic improvement, dairy infrastructure development, and empowerment of women, the mission contributes to sustainable agriculture and employment generation in the livestock sector.
