The Union Cabinet has approved a revised version of the Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM) with enhanced financial allocation. 

• This move aims to significantly boost India’s livestock sector, especially milk production and productivity, and to increase farmers’ incomes.

About Rashtriya Gokul Mission

• The Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM) has been implemented for development and conservation of indigenous bovine breeds since December 2014.

Objective

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

Revised Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM)

• Allocation: Increased by ₹1,000 crore, bringing total allocation to ₹3,400 crore for the period of the 15th Finance Commission (2021-22 to 2025-26).
• Objective: Enhance productivity and preservation of indigenous bovine breeds through scientific and systematic efforts.
• Two new key initiatives added:
• 1. Heifer Rearing Centres: Offering a one-time assistance of 35% of capital cost to establish 30 facilities with a total of 15,000 heifers.
  2. Interest Subvention for Farmers: Providing a 3% interest subsidy on loans for purchasing High Genetic Merit (HGM) IVF heifers, encouraging farmers to invest in high-yielding breeds.

Achievements & Benefits of RGM so far

• Milk production increased by 63.55% in the last ten years.
• Per capita milk availability grew from 307 grams/day (2013-14) to 471 grams/day (2023-24).
• Nationwide Artificial Insemination Programme (NAIP) benefited 5.21 crore farmers by covering 8.39 crore animals.
• Established 22 IVF labs, leading to the birth of 2,541 HGM calves.
• Promoted indigenous technologies like:
• • Gau Chip and Mahish Chip: Genomic chips developed by NDDB and ICAR-NBAGR.
  • Gau Sort: Indigenous sex-sorted semen technology developed by NDDB.