Union Government launched Rashtriya Gokul Mission

Union Government of India on 28 July 2014 launched the Rashtriya Gokul Mission (a nationwide scheme) to promote conservation and developments of indigenous breeds of cows in a focused and scientific manner. The Mission is a focused project under National Programme for Bovine Breeding and Dairy Development.
The mission was launched in New Delhi by Union Agriculture Minister Radhamohan Singh.

Aim and objective of the mission 
• Development and conservation of indigenous breeds
• Undertake breed improvement programme for indigenous cattle breeds to improve the genetic makeup and increase the stock
• It aims at enhancing milk production and productivity
• Upgradation non-descript cattle using elite indigenous breeds like Gir, Sahiwal, Rathi, Deoni, Tharparkar, Red Sindhi and others 
• Distribution of disease free high genetic merit bulls for natural service

To run the project, the government has allocated 150 crore rupees for the fiscal 2014-15. Whereas, the project has an outlay of 500 crore rupees during the 12th five year programme.  

Funds under the scheme will be allocated for
• Establishment of Integrated Indigenous Cattle Centres viz Gokul Gram
• Strengthening of bull mother farms to conserve high genetic merit Indigenous Breeds
• Establishment of Field Performance Recording (FPR) in the breeding tract
• Assistance to Institutions/Institutes which are repositories of best germplasm
• Implementation of Pedigree Selection Programme for the Indigenous Breeds with large population
• Establishment of Breeder’s Societies: Gopalan Sangh
• Distribution of disease free high genetic merit bulls for natural service 
• Incentive to farmers maintaining elite animals of indigenous breeds; 
• Heifer rearing programmes; award to Farmers (Gopal Ratna) and Breeders’ Societies (Kamadhenu)
• Organization of Milk Yield Competitions for indigenous breeds 
• Organization of Training Programme for technical and non technical personnel working at the Institute/Institutions engaged in indigenous cattle development

Implementation of the Rashtriya Gokul Mission
Rashtriya Gokul Mission will be implemented through State Implementing Agency (SIA viz Livestock Development Boards, LDBs). The funds of the scheme will be allocated for establishment of Integrated Indigenous Cattle Centre, Gokul Gram.

The State Gauseva Ayogs will be given the mandate to sponsor proposals to SIA (LDBs) and monitor implementation of the sponsored proposal. All Agencies having a role in indigenous cattle development will be the “Participating Agencies” like CFSPTI, CCBFs, ICAR, Universities, Colleges, NGO’s, Cooperative Societies and Gaushalas with best germplasm .
 
Gokul Gram
Under the mission an Indigenous Cattle Centres or Gokul Grams will be established in breeding tracts of indigenous breeds. The Gokul Grams will be set up in a PPP mode and will be established in 
• The native breeding tracts 
• Near metropolitan cities for housing the urban cattle

The Gokul Gram will also function as state of the art in situ training centre for Farmers, Breeders and MAITRI’s. Metropolitan Gokul Gram will focus on genetic upgradation of urban cattle.

These Grams that will have a capacity of 1000 animals will have unproductive animals along with productive ones in a ratio of 60:40. These Gokul Grams will have house fodder production to meet the Nutritional requirements of the animals. 

Economic perspective of the Rashtriya Gokul Mission
Gokul Gram will be an institute that will generate economic resources through sale of
• Milk
• Organic manure
• Vermi-composting
• Urine distillates 
• Production of electricity from bio gas for in house consumption
• Sale of animal products
These activities will make Gokul Grams as a self sustaining organisation.