Current Affairs

Cattle Breed under Rashtriya Gokul Mission

Cattle Breed under Rashtriya Gokul Mission

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:

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: 

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.

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.

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.

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 on Feed 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:

 

 

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 State

Location  of Gokul Gram

Mandated Breed

Andhra Pradesh

Cattle Breeding farm, Chadalawada, Prakasam

Ongole

Telangana

PVNR Telangana Veterinary University

Gir, Sahiwal, Thaparkar, Deoni, Ongole

Karnataka

Amrithmahal, Subcenter, Lingadahalli, Chikkamagaluru,

Amrit Mahal

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 Pradesh

Thanakhas, Una

Sahiwal

Uttar Pradesh

DUVASU Mathura

Sahiwal; Hariana

Arazilines Varanasi

Gangatiri

Simra Viran, Shahjahanpur

Sahiwal

Arunachal Pradesh

Tezu, Lohit

Gir, Sahiwal,

Chhattisgarh

Institutional Gokul Gram Jhalam, Bemetra

Gir, Sahiwal, Kosli

Bihar

Dumraon, Buxar

Hariana graded

 

This information was given by Union Minister of State, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel, in a written reply in Lok Sabha on 19th August, 2025.

  1. To enhance productivity of bovines and increasing milk production in a sustainable manner using advance technologies
  2. To propagate use of high genetic merit bulls for breeding purposes.
  3. To enhance Artificial insemination coverage through strengthening breeding network and delivery of Artificial insemination services at farmers doorstep
  4. To promote indigenous cattle & buffalo rearing and conservation in a scientific and holistic manner.