ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE& FARMERS WELWARE
(SHRI RADHA MOHAN SINGH)
(a) to (e): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION No. 247 UNIQUE IDENTITY NUMBERS FOR COWS TO BE ANSWERED ON 13th MARCH 2018.
Part (a) & (b): Yes, Madam. Government of India is undertaking identification of in-milk cattle and buffaloes, using 12 digit unique identification number for the purpose of scientific breeding of animals, control of spread of diseases, increasing trade of milk & milk products. This is being implemented under the “Pashu Sanjivni” component of the scheme National Mission on Bovine Productivity.
Part (c) & (d): Yes, Madam. Information Network for Animal Productivity & Health (INAPH) has already been developed by National Dairy Development Board and is being used as National Data Base for uploading data of animals identified using poly urethane tags with 12 digit unique identification number and it is as per the International Committee on Animal Recording. The cost of each polyurethane tag ranges from Rs 8 to 12 based on discovery of tender price. Allocation of Rs 148 crore has been made under the component Pashu Sanjivni for identification and issuing Nakul Swastya Patra (Health Cards) to 90 million animals in milk. Component of the scheme is being implemented on 60: 40 Central: State share basis. Amount of Rs 75 crore as Central share has already been released to the States for implementation of the component.
Part (e) In order to complement and supplement the efforts made by the States to enhance milk production in the country, Government of India has been implementing following programmes/schemes:
i) Rashtriya Gokul Mission with an aim of development and conservation of indigenous breeds and enhancement of milk production and productivity of bovine population.
ii) National Dairy Plan-I with the aim of enhancing production and productivity of milch animals and to provide rural milk producers greater access to the organized milk processing centre. The scheme also has focus on development and conservation of 12 indigenous breeds of cattle and buffaloes.
iii) Livestock Health and Disease Control for tackling the issues of livestock health. Assistance is released under the scheme to the States & UTs.
iv) National Livestock Mission having sub mission on Feed & Fodder Development for increasing fodder availability in the country and Livestock Development with the component for providing insurance coverage to bovines along with other livestock species.
v) Government has also established three subordinate organizations namely, (a) Central Cattle Breeding Farms (CCBFs) (b) Central Herd registration Scheme and (c) Central Frozen Semen Production & Training Institute. These institutes playing crucial role in supply of high genetic merit bulls and semen doses of indigenous breeds.
vi) The Indian Council of Agricultural Research through its research institutes is undertaking genetic improvement and conservation of indigenous breeds
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