The Aryavarth Express
Agency(New Delhi): The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying has been actively implementing the Rashtriya Gokul Mission, a scheme dedicated to the development and conservation of indigenous bovine breeds. The mission also focuses on the genetic upgrading of the bovine population and enhancing milk production and productivity. This initiative, which is part of the department’s revised and realigned schemes for the period 2021-22 to 2025-26, has been allocated a budget of Rs. 2400 crore.
Over the past nine years, there has been a remarkable increase of 57.6% in milk production, rising from 146.3 million tonnes in 2013-14 to 230.60 million metric tonnes in 2022-23. This growth translates to an impressive annual rate of 5.9%. In the same period, the average productivity of cattle and buffaloes has seen a significant rise of 24.3%, from 1648.17 kg per animal per year to 2048 kg per animal per year in 2021-22. This growth rate in productivity is noted as the highest in the world.
The value of milk output, as per the National Accounts Statistics (NAS) 2023, stands at over Rs. 9.95 lakh crore for 2021-22. This figure surpasses the combined value of major agricultural staples like paddy and wheat, making milk the highest valued agricultural produce in India.
The financial allocation for the Rashtriya Gokul Mission has seen a substantial increase of 44.92% in the current financial year.
This initiative, outlined by the Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Shri Parshottam Rupala in the Lok Sabha, represents a significant step towards enhancing the dairy sector in India. It not only aims to increase milk production but also ensures the preservation and sustainability of indigenous bovine breeds, thus contributing to the overall growth and diversity of India’s agriculture and animal husbandry sectors.