The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India is implementing Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM) since 2014 for development and conservation of indigenous cattle and buffalo breeds, genetic upgradation of bovine population and enhancement of milk production and productivity of bovines. The salient features of the scheme are : (i) to enhance productivity of bovines and increasing milk production in a sustainable manner using advanced technologies; (ii) to propagate use of high genetic merit bulls for breeding purposes; (iii) to enhance Artificial insemination coverage through strengthening breeding network and delivery of Artificial insemination services at farmers doorstep and (iv) to promote indigenous cattle & buffalo rearing and conservation in a scientific and holistic manner.

The State of Himachal Pradesh is participating under Rashtriya Gokul Mission since inception of the scheme. So far, Central assistance to the tune of Rs 95.78 crore has been released to the State for implementation of the scheme. Indigenous breed of the State Pahari breed of cattle is covered under the scheme. Due to implementation of Rashtriya Gokul Misssion and other measures undertaken by the Department, milk production in the State has increased by 49.20% from 11.72 lakh tonnes in 2014-15 to 17.48 lakh tonnes in 2023-24. Productivity of indigenous and non-descript cattle is increased by 23.07%   between 2014-15 and 2023-24 from 1.69 kg/ animal / day in 2014-15 to 2.08 kg/animal/day in 2023-24.  Similarly, productivity of buffaloes is increased by 18.68% between 2014-15 and 2023-24 from 3.64 kg/ animal / day during 2014-15 to 4.32 kg/animal/day during 2023-24.

The Scheme Rashtriya Gokul Mission is not a beneficiary oriented scheme. However, the following assistance is provided to rural farmers engaged in dairying in Himachal Pradesh including Shimla, Solan and Sirmor

(i)         Implementation of Nationwide Artificial Insemination programme: Under the component Artificial Insemination (AI) services is made available free of cost at farmers’ doorstep. As on date 16,92,066 animals have been covered, 25,89, 153 Artificial Insemination performed and 13,62,483 farmers benefitted under the programme in the State of Himachal Pradesh. All the districts are participating under the programme including Shimla, Solan and Sirmor.

(ii)        Implementation of Accelerated Breed Improvement Programme using sex sorted semen: Under the component assistance upto 50% of the cost of sex sorted semen is made available to the farmers. The State of Himachal Pradesh has procured 45,000 doses of sex sorted semen and out of this 20,858 artificial insemination has been performed and 15,287 farmers benefitted under the programme. The programme is implemented in all the districts including Shimla, Solan and Sirmor.

This information was given by the Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh, in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

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