New Delhi: In a bid to boost growth in the livestock sector, the Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the revised Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM) with a total Rs 3,400 crore outlay — with an additional outlay of Rs 1,000 crore for the years 2024-25 and 2025-26.
The mission adds two new activities, which include one-time assistance of 35 per cent of the capital cost for the establishment of Heifer Rearing Centres to implementing agencies for the creation of 30 housing facilities having a total of 15,000 heifers.
It also encourages farmers to purchase high genetic merit (HGM) IVF heifers to provide 3 per cent interest subvention on loans taken by the farmer from milk unions/financial institutions/ banks for such purchase.
This will help in systemic induction of high-yielding breeds, said the government.
With the implementation of the Rashtriya Gokul Mission and other efforts, milk production has increased by 63.55 per cent in the last 10 years.
The availability of milk per person, which was 307 grams per day in 2013-14, has increased to 471 grams per day in 2023-24.
Productivity has also increased by 26.34 per cent in the last 10 years, according to the Cabinet.
The scheme is set to significantly boost milk production and productivity, ultimately increasing farmers’ incomes.
Additionally, in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) has become an established technology, due to the initiatives taken under the scheme. This initiative will not only enhance productivity but also improve the livelihoods of 8.5 crore farmers engaged in dairying.
The approved revised scheme is for the continuation of ongoing activities of Rashtriya Gokul Mission — strengthening of semen stations, artificial insemination network, implementation of bull production programme, accelerated breed improvement programme using sex sorted semen, skill development, farmer awareness, support for innovative activities including establishment of Centre of Excellence, strengthening of Central Cattle Breeding Farms and strengthening of Central Cattle Breeding Farms.
The Nationwide Artificial Insemination Programme (NAIP) under the Mission provides free of cost artificial insemination at the farmer’s doorstep in 605 districts across the country where the baseline coverage was below 50 per cent.
Till date, over 8.39 crore animals have been covered and 5.21 crore farmers have been benefitted, informed the Cabinet.
(IANS)
