Animal Husbandry and Cattle breeding has always been an essential part of our ancient economic activity.
Going back in history to Shreemad Bhagwat era, Shri Krushna was raised in a Cattle Breeder Family around Gokul and Vrindavan.
Bharat, had been blessed with exceptionally fertile land, hence cattle breeding has been an exceedingly significant profession for centuries.
Today, augmenting Milk production and productivity in a scientific manner with superior nutrition has became crucial.
Taking this important aspect into consideration, Narendra Modiji led Government launched Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM) with an outlay of 2025 Crore for development and conservation of indigenous breeds through selective breeding and genetic upgradation of nondescript bovine population.
The scheme comprises two components namely National Programmes for Bovine Breeding (NPBB) and National Mission on Bovine Productivity (NMBP).
Bharat houses 14.5% ( 299.6 million) of the world cattle population, out of which 83% of the population is indigenous. 190.9 millions are cattle and 108.7 million are buffaloes.
The bovine genetic resources of Bharat is represented by 41 registered indigenous breeds of cattle and 13 registered buffalo breeds.
The indigenous bovines are robust and resilient and especially suitable to the climate of their respective breeding tracts.
The milk of indigenous breeds is high in fat and SNF contents.
Studies show that the indigenous breeds would be impacted to a much lesser extent than the exotic animals due to climate change. However, the number of indigenous animals is declining and some breeds like Punganur have become threatened.
RGM has been initiated to promote conservation and development of indigenous breeds.
The objective of the RGM :
A) Development and Conservation of indigenous breeds.
B) Breed improvement programme for indigenous breeds to improve the genetic makeup as well as increase the stock.
C) Enhancing milk production and productivity of the bovine population by increasing diseases free high-genetic merit female population and check on spread of diseases.
D) Upgrading nondescript cattle, using elite indigenous breeds like Gir, Sahiwal, Rathi, Deoni, Tharparkar,Red Sindhi etc.
E) Distribution of disease free high-genetic merit bulls for natural service.
F) To bring all breedable females under organised breeding through AI or natural service using germ plasm of high genetic merits.
G) To arrange for quality Artificial Insemination (AI) service at Farmer’s doorstep.
H) To create an e-market portal for bovine germplasm for connecting breeders and farmers.
I) To increase trade of livestock and livestock products by meeting our sanitary and phyto sanitary (SPS) issues.
J) To select breeding bulldog high genetic merit at a young age through application of genomics.
The Rashtriya Gokul Mission, which was implemented by the State Implementing Agency (SIA), focuses on the development of integrated indigenous cattle centres. These cattle centres are known as Gokul Grams.
In order to motivate the farmers for bearing of indigenous breeds and to enhance the production and productivity of indigenous breeds, the Ministry of Agriculture has initiated following awards, under RGM.
A) Gopal Ratna Award : It is awarded for farmers maintaining the best herd of indigenous breed(s) and practising best management practises.
B) Kamadhenu Awards : For best managed indigenous herd by institutions/ trusts/ NGOs/ Gaushalas or Breeders societies.
There are three Gopal Ratna Awards (First, Second and Third positions) and three Kamadhenu awards respectively for five regions viz: 1) Hill and North Eastern 2) North 3) South 4) East and 5) West.
Each award consists of a citation and an incentive of Rs 5 Lakhs, 3 Lakhs and 1 Lakh each respectively.
Cow is an important signifying feature of our Bharatiya culture. It is worshipped since time immemorial. We all have grown up feeding the first roti to GauMata.
Unfortunately, none of the previous Congress Governments furthered any initiatives to nurture these foremost heritage of our land.
In the pre-independence era, His highness Krishna kumarSinh ji of Bhavnagar state was veteran Gau-rakshak and he had done profound study of the Gir breed of cows. He worked incessantly for preserving and nurturing Gir (Kathiawari) Cows. He had several articles to his credit on the subject of Gir breed of Cows. One if his article in English on the subject, was translated in Portuguese language was read by a progressive farmer, Mr. Sid in Brazil. He was highly impressed by the quality of Gir cows of Saurashtra (then Kathiawar). He visited Krishnakumar Sinhji’s Gaushala (Cow stable) in Bharat and requested him for a few Gir cows and healthy bulls to be nurtured in Brazil.
He has taken this initiative further and now, Brazil has Thirty Lakh such cows. The slaughter of Gir Cow is banned in Brazil.
A Street has been named after Shree Krishna kumar Sinh in the capital city of Brazil.
Sadly, the importance of our very own treasure was not well understood and absorbed by Congress Governments. Their Westbound views killed the rich bequest that our nation once boasted of.
A few years ago, injecting hormones of Pig into Cow and creating Jersey cow, had become extremely popular initially as it would give more milk but Desi (indigenous) cows Milk compared to Jersey cow’s milk (A2) is proved to be better as it contains certain medicinal qualities. Doctors advise pregnant women, kids, diabetics and heart patients to consume it.
The indigenous cows give more calves during their lifetime average of more than 10-12 normally and up to 15 in some cases. Whereas the Jersey cows give less calves, hence Desi indigenous cows produce larger amounts of milk during their lifetime.
The Honorable Prime Minister is definitely techno savvy and a strong supporter of new innovations but at the very same time he is equally proud of our cultural patrimony. Hence, to make this inheritance a part of the nation's growth journey, Rashtriya Gokul Mission is initiated.