Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM), Objectives and Key Initiatives

Context: The implementation of the Rashtriya Gokul Mission and other initiatives by the Government of India have resulted in a significant 63.5% increase in milk production over the past decade.

About Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM)

• Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM) was launched in December 2014 under the National Programme for Bovine Breeding and Dairy Development (NPBBDD).
• It focuses on scientific conservation, breed improvement and productivity enhancement of indigenous bovine breeds.
• Implementing Agency: Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying (DAHD), Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying.
• It supports States and Union Territories in infrastructure development for indigenous cattle breeding.

Key Initiatives Under Rashtriya Gokul Mission

Strengthening of Semen Stations

• Objective: Improve the quality and quantity of semen production for cattle breeding.
• 47 semen stations across India have been strengthened and modernized with RGM funding.

Sex-Sorted Semen Production Facility

• Sex-sorted semen technology ensures that 90% of calves born are female, improving productivity.
• 67 lakh doses of sex-sorted semen have been produced under RGM.

Establishment of IVF Labs

• Bovine IVF technology is being used for the first time in India to conserve and develop indigenous breeds.
• 22 IVF laboratories have been set up across India.

Multi-purpose Artificial Insemination Technicians in Rural India (MAITRI)

• 38,736 MAITRIs trained to provide artificial insemination (AI) services at farmers’ doorsteps.

National Kamdhenu Breeding Centers (NKBCs)

• Two National Kamdhenu Breeding Centers serve as germplasm repositories for Indigenous breeds:
• The centres are located in Itarsi (Madhya Pradesh) and Nellore (Andhra Pradesh).

Launch of Indigenous Genomic Chip

• A genomic chip has been developed under RGM to identify high-genetic-merit bulls for breeding.

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