Cabinet Approves Revised Rashtriya Gokul Mission with ₹3,400 Crore Allocation

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the Revised Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM) to enhance livestock sector growth. The revised scheme, implemented as a Central Sector component of the Development Programmes scheme, has been allocated a total of ₹3,400 crore during the 15th Finance Commission cycle (2021-22 to 2025-26), with an additional ₹1,000 crore. The mission aims to boost milk production, genetic improvement, and farmer incomes while preserving India’s indigenous bovine breeds through scientific interventions.

Key Highlights

Financial Allocation

• Total outlay: ₹3,400 crore under the 15th Finance Commission cycle (2021-22 to 2025-26).
• Additional allocation of ₹1,000 crore for the revised scheme.

New Initiatives Added

• One-time assistance (35%) for Heifer Rearing Centres
• Establishment of 30 housing facilities for 15,000 heifers.
• 3% Interest Subvention for High Genetic Merit (HGM) IVF Heifers
• Farmers taking loans from milk unions, banks, or financial institutions for HGM IVF heifers will receive interest subvention.

Ongoing Key Activities

• Strengthening of Artificial Insemination (AI) Network and semen stations.
• Accelerated breed improvement programme using sex-sorted semen.
• Implementation of bull production programmes for genetic advancement.
• Skill development and farmer awareness initiatives.
• Establishment of Centres of Excellence for livestock breeding.
• Strengthening of Central Cattle Breeding Farms.

Impact of Rashtriya Gokul Mission

• 63.55% increase in milk production over the past 10 years.
• Per capita milk availability rose from 307 grams/day (2013-14) to 471 grams/day (2023-24).
• Productivity increased by 26.34% in the last decade.
• 8.39 crore animals covered under the Nationwide Artificial Insemination Programme (NAIP).
• 5.21 crore farmers benefited through free Artificial Insemination (AI) in 605 districts.
• 22 IVF labs established under State Livestock Boards (SLBs) and Universities.
• 2541 High Genetic Merit (HGM) calves born through IVF.

Technological Advancements

• Development of “Gau Chip” & “Mahish Chip”
• Genomic chips for indigenous bovines developed by NDDB and ICAR-NBAGR.
• “Gau Sort” – Indigenously Developed Sex-Sorted Semen Technology
• Developed by the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB).

Livelihood & Economic Impact

• Expected to enhance farmer incomes by increasing milk productivity.
• 8.5 crore farmers engaged in dairy farming will benefit from the scheme.
• Systematic scientific interventions in bull production will help preserve indigenous bovine breeds.