Cabinet approves revised Rashtriya Gokul Mission with ₹1,000 cr boost to strengthen livestock sector

The scheme will be implemented as a Central Sector component under the Development Programmes scheme during the 15th Finance Commission cycle (2021-22 to 2025-26).

The revised mission includes a one-time assistance covering 35% of the capital cost for establishing Heifer Rearing Centres, supporting 30 housing facilities for 15,000 heifers.

To encourage farmers to purchase high-genetic-merit (HGM) in vitro fertilisation (IVF) heifers, the government will provide a 3% interest subvention on loans taken from milk unions, financial institutions, or banks. This initiative aims to facilitate the systematic induction of high-yielding breeds.

“The scheme continues the activities of the Rashtriya Gokul Mission, including strengthening semen stations, expanding artificial insemination networks, implementing bull production programmes, accelerating breed improvement with sex-sorted semen, skill development, farmer awareness, and innovative initiatives like establishing Centres of Excellence,” the statement said.

Since the launch of RGM and other government initiatives, milk production has surged by 63.55% over the past decade, with per capita milk availability rising from 307 grams per day in 2013-14 to 471 grams per day in 2023-24. Productivity has also improved by 26.34%.

The Nationwide Artificial Insemination Programme (NAIP) under RGM provides free artificial insemination (AI) services in 605 districts where AI coverage was below 50%. So far, over 8.39 crore animals have been covered, benefiting 5.21 crore farmers.

RGM has also pioneered the adoption of advanced breeding technologies. A total of 22 IVF labs have been set up under State Livestock Boards (SLBs) and universities, resulting in the birth of over 2,541 HGM calves.

The scheme has also introduced key technological advancements in bovine genetics.

The ‘Gau Chip’ and ‘Mahish Chip,’ genomic chips for indigenous bovines developed by the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) and ICAR-National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR), along with ‘Gau Sort,’ an indigenously developed sex-sorted semen production technology by NDDB, are set to revolutionise cattle breeding in India.

By enhancing milk productivity and supporting the preservation of indigenous bovine breeds, the initiative is expected to improve the livelihoods of 8.5 crore dairy farmers and contribute to India's self-sufficiency in milk production.