The Union Cabinet’s approval of the Revised Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM) marks a significant milestone in India’s efforts to boost its livestock sector, particularly dairy farming. The mission, originally launched in 2014, is aimed at improving the genetic quality of livestock, enhancing milk production, and supporting the livelihoods of farmers. This revised version of the mission, approved on Wednesday, introduces new initiatives and strengthens existing components with an enhanced allocation for the years 2024-25 and 2025-26, signaling the government’s continued commitment to agricultural modernization and rural development.
A Stronger Commitment: ₹3,400 Crore for Livestock Development
The revised RGM will now be implemented as a Central Sector component of the Development Programmes scheme, with a total allocation of ₹3,400 crore for the 15th Finance Commission cycle, covering the period from 2021-22 to 2025-26. The allocation sees a significant increase, with an additional ₹1,000 crore being earmarked for the program. This enhanced funding will allow for the implementation of more ambitious projects and provide better support to farmers across the country.
The mission’s revised structure introduces two critical activities that will transform the livestock sector. First, the government has approved a one-time assistance program for the establishment of Heifer Rearing Centres, which will provide 35% of the capital cost for creating 30 housing facilities with a total capacity of 15,000 heifers. This initiative is designed to provide high-quality heifers to farmers, enabling them to improve milk yields and strengthen the dairy sector.
The second new initiative focuses on encouraging farmers to invest in High Genetic Merit (HGM) IVF heifers. Through this scheme, the government will provide a 3% interest subvention on loans taken by farmers from milk unions, financial institutions, or banks to purchase such heifers. This move aims to systematically introduce high-yielding breeds into the dairy farming system, improving productivity and increasing milk production capacity across the country.
Core Activities of the Revised Rashtriya Gokul Mission
While these new activities will bring a transformative change to the dairy industry, the core initiatives of the RGM will continue to play a vital role in supporting farmers. One of the key components of the mission is the strengthening of semen stations and artificial insemination (AI) networks. AI has proven to be one of the most effective ways of improving the genetic quality of livestock, and the government’s ongoing efforts to expand these services are helping farmers increase productivity while ensuring healthier herds.
Additionally, RGM will continue to implement bull production programs and accelerate breed improvement programs using sex-sorted semen, which ensures that farmers can breed high-quality cattle with better genetics. The mission also includes skill development programs for farmers, increasing awareness of advanced dairy farming techniques, and the establishment of Centres of Excellence for better research and development in livestock breeding.
The RGM has also placed a strong emphasis on reinforcing Central Cattle Breeding Farms, which are pivotal in maintaining a strong supply of quality breeding stock. These initiatives are geared towards creating a more robust and efficient breeding network that benefits farmers in both the short and long term.
Impressive Results: A Decade of Growth in Milk Production
The revised Rashtriya Gokul Mission comes at a time when India’s milk production has been on an impressive upward trajectory. According to official data, India has seen a 63.55% increase in milk production over the past decade. In 2013-14, the country’s total milk production stood at 146.31 million tonnes, and by 2023-24, this figure had risen to an estimated 239.96 million tonnes. This growth in milk production is a direct result of the combined efforts of various government programs, including RGM, and the increasing adoption of advanced breeding technologies by farmers.
The availability of milk per capita has also risen significantly. In 2013-14, the availability of milk per person per day was 307 grams, and by 2023-24, it had increased to 471 grams. This increase in milk availability is crucial for ensuring that the nutritional needs of India’s large and growing population are met, particularly in rural areas where dairy products form a vital part of the daily diet.
Productivity has also improved substantially, with a 26.34% increase in milk productivity over the last ten years. This increase is primarily attributed to the adoption of better genetics, improved breeding practices, and the expansion of artificial insemination services through RGM.
Nationwide Artificial Insemination Program: A Game Changer
One of the standout features of the Rashtriya Gokul Mission is the Nationwide Artificial Insemination Program (NAIP), which provides free artificial insemination services to farmers in remote and underserved areas. The NAIP, launched under RGM, covers over 605 districts across India, focusing on those areas where the baseline AI coverage was below 50%.
To date, over 8.39 crore animals have been covered under the NAIP, benefiting over 5.21 crore farmers. The expansion of artificial insemination services has allowed farmers to improve the genetic quality of their herds and increase milk yields without the need to invest in purchasing expensive high-genetic merit animals. This program has been a game-changer for small-scale and resource-poor farmers who would otherwise not have access to high-quality breeding services.
Advanced Breeding Technologies and Innovation
The Revised Rashtriya Gokul Mission also places a significant focus on introducing advanced breeding technologies to Indian farmers. In vitro fertilization (IVF) has emerged as a cutting-edge technology that allows farmers to produce high-quality offspring from genetically superior cattle. As part of the mission, a total of 22 IVF labs have been established under State Livestock Boards or universities, facilitating the birth of over 2,541 high-genetic-merit calves. This technology is helping farmers increase the genetic potential of their herds, leading to higher milk production and better overall herd health.
Another major technological breakthrough has been the development of Gau Chip and Mahish Chip, genomic chips for indigenous bovines. Developed by the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) and the ICAR National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR), these chips are helping farmers track the genetic information of their cattle, improving breeding decisions and herd management. Gau Sort, an indigenously developed sex-sorted semen production technology, is also helping farmers selectively breed high-yielding female calves, further boosting dairy production.
These technological advancements are crucial for ensuring India’s self-reliance in dairy production and reducing dependence on imported breeding technologies. The government’s focus on research and development in the livestock sector is paving the way for a more sustainable and efficient dairy industry.
The Way Forward: Challenges and Opportunities
While the Revised Rashtriya Gokul Mission represents a major step forward for the livestock sector, challenges remain. The need for continued awareness and skill development among farmers is critical, particularly as new technologies such as IVF and genomic chips become more widespread. Ensuring that farmers have access to training and support is essential for maximizing the benefits of these technologies.
Additionally, as the demand for milk and dairy products continues to grow, there will be an increasing need for infrastructure development to support the dairy value chain. From milk processing plants to cold storage and transport facilities, investing in the dairy supply chain will be crucial for ensuring that the increased milk production can be efficiently processed and marketed.
The government’s commitment to improving the genetic quality of livestock and supporting dairy farmers through programs like the Revised Rashtriya Gokul Mission is commendable. However, the success of these initiatives will ultimately depend on the active participation of farmers, the effective implementation of the program, and the continued support of stakeholders across the dairy value chain.
The Revised Rashtriya Gokul Mission represents a transformative shift in India’s dairy industry, one that promises to enhance the genetic quality of livestock, increase milk production, and improve the livelihoods of millions of farmers. With enhanced funding, new initiatives, and a focus on advanced breeding technologies, RGM is set to play a key role in the country’s agricultural future.
As India continues to prioritize self-reliance and sustainability in the dairy sector, the Rashtriya Gokul Mission offers a roadmap for achieving long-term growth and prosperity for the country’s livestock sector. By combining innovation, investment, and farmer-focused initiatives, the government is laying the foundation for a brighter future for dairy farming in India.
